Small-town kid now big-time QB at Tulsa

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

To begin to understand the heart of Tulsa quarterback James Kilian, start with the Oklahoma farming town of Medford, which can be found in the middle of America — and the 20th century.

Kilian

"You can leave your keys in your car," recalled Kilian, whose Tulsa football team (1-3) plays Hawai'i (0-2) Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Medford High is on Main Street, although the locals refer to Cherokee Street, which runs past the business area, as the main street.

The nearest hospitals are 35 miles south in Enid or 15 miles north in Caldwell, Kan., where Kilian was born.

Enid is the entertainment capital of the region, offering bowling, fine dining and the multi-plex.

Danny Kennedy was 2 months old when his father moved the family to Medford in 1938. They never left. Twenty years ago, Danny took over the drug store, which features a marble soda fountain. He still uses his father's malt mixer.

"Times have changed," Danny admitted, "like a lot of stuff that goes on in most towns. But Medford is safe. I've raised my family here, by choice. It's a good place. People move here from big cities so their kids can ride bicycles and walk to the park."

During the summer days, the nine Kilians — Jim, Margaret and their four daughters and three sons — worked on the family cattle ranch and wheat fields.

On autumn Friday nights, residents cheered Medford High in another drive for the eight-man football title.

Justin Kilian was the local hero and, a few years later, it was James' turn.

"They're all good kids," Kennedy said. "We're proud of them, and not just because of what they did on the playing field. They're fine young men."

Jim Kilian taught his children good manners through open-handed discipline.

"When James — he doesn't like to be called 'Jim' — was younger, he got in trouble throwing rocks and breaking the window of our locomotive store," Jim Kilian recalled. "He wasn't mean, he was ornery, just like a lot of boys. But after breaking the window, he 'fessed up to it. He went ahead and did some work to help pay for the window."

Later, James confessed to another prank. "He could have kept it from me, and I would have never known anything, but that's not how he is," Jim recalled. "I told him, 'I can't very well spank you when you told me the truth. But the next time ...'"

That time never came. Not when James volunteered to clean parks and mentor younger students. Nor when he developed into a Christian leader, delivering sermons at First Baptist Church.

His ritual before every home game? "Me and my best friend would go to the drug store and get a chocolate malt," he said.

On Saturday nights, James and his friends would go to a park "and hang out and talk."

"By no means am I perfect," James says. "I've had a drink, but I don't go out to bars. I think it's the way I was raised. ... My parents taught me it doesn't make much sense to tear your body down."

Tulsa quarterback James Kilian is as much of a threat running the football as he is throwing it as he proved against Hawai'i in 2001. Advertiser library photo

At Tulsa, James, now 6 feet 4 and 215 pounds, impressed teammates with his workouts. He bench presses 300 pounds and runs 40 yards in 4.7 seconds.

"When you have to wake up at 5:30 to work on the farm," Tulsa tight end Garrett Mills said, "you learn a lot of discipline. He has a great work ethic."

More importantly, Mills said, "he's a great guy. He's just an All-American guy."

This past July, UH defensive back Abraham Elimimian and Kilian reunited at the Western Athletic Conference Football Media Preview in Reno. Kilian was coming off Tulsa's remarkable turnaround season in 2003, which included a 27-16 victory over UH. In that game, Kilian was the Hurricane's leading passer (106 yards), rusher (115 yards) and receiver (35 yards). In four games this season, he has passed for five touchdowns and rushed for 116 yards.

"I thought he was going to be a jerk," Elimimian said. "But I was wrong, very wrong. We hung out together, and he's a great guy. He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet."

Elimimian has Kilian's number on his cell phone directory.

"He's a cool guy," said UH quarterback Tim Chang, who also attended the Reno event. "I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

Kilian might not have free time. He is taking a full course load, and has amassed 150 credits (124 are needed to earn a bachelor's degree). He is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, regularly visits children's hospitals and helps buy Christmas presents for underprivileged youths through the Shop with a Cop program.

Last week, the American Football Coaches Association named Kilian to its Good Works team.

"It's pretty neat, but I didn't do things for the recognition," he said. "I want to give back. It's good for college athletics. You always hear stories of guys getting into trouble, but there are only a few knuckleheads. Most college athletes want to help their communities. That's what my parents taught me, to be a good person. It doesn't matter if you grew up on a farm or in the city, you should try to do the right thing."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.