Selfless service may be the best way to describe Jim Shields's tenure in wrestling. As an athlete Shields was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the California Junior College tournament while competing for Cypress College, and he was a Big Eight champion for Oklahoma State in 1971. A natural 177 pounder, Shields placed third at the NCAA tournament at heavyweight, moving up in weight when a teammate blew out his knee. Shields was an integral part of many championship teams. He coached East Central to a state team title, and coached Tulsa Bishop Kelley to two state team championships. He was also an assistant coach for high school championships at Catoosa High School and Clovis High School in California. At Oklahoma State he was part of three NCAA team titles: in 1971 as an athlete and in 1989 and 1990 as a coach. For his distinctive career in wrestling, the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Jim Shields with its Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award.