G. Larry James, an Olympic medalist who has served as a coach and administrator in the athletics program at Richard Stockton for 36 years, returned Saturday as an honorary official to the event where he recorded one of his most memorable performances -- the Penn Relays.

James, dean of athletics and recreational programs and services at Richard Stockton and “coach emeritus” for track and field, returned to Franklin Field site where he ran a fastest-ever anchor leg in the Championship of America mile relay a few months before winning gold and silver medals at the Mexico City Olympics.

It is another honor from the meet that also made him a member of the Penn Relays “Wall of Fame” in 1995.

Nicknamed “The Mighty Burner,” the Villanova standout ran the third leg of the 1,600-meter relay that Lee Evans anchored to a gold medal in Mexico City and also collected a silver medal when Evans edged James with a world-record time in the 400-meter run.

James was a three-time NCAA indoor titlist between 1968 and 1970 and also won an outdoor crown in his senior year. He was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2003.

He joined the Richard Stockton staff as assistant director of athletics in 1972, only a year after the school opened, and has been credited by school officials with helping to shape the institution’s identity and reputation as the newest member of the New Jersey System of Higher Education.

Last December, the school marked James’ 35th year at the school by renaming its track and soccer facility in his honor and established the G. Larry James Legacy Fund to provide scholarships for Richard Stockton students.

“To me, Larry James is Stockton,” men’s basketball coach Gerry Matthews said at the time. “Larry is the reason people know about Stockton.  He put the school on the map.”

James has been active nationally and internationally in track and field and intercollegiate athletics during his administrative career, including service on the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. He recently has chaired the USA Track and Field Budget Committee.