GRAND FORKS, N.D. - What do you get when you cross a former North Dakota football player with a microphone? You get Comic Jason James. Better known to his friends and family as Jason Williams, he graduated from UND in 1994 with a degree in history and is currently pursuing a career as a stand-up comic and as a writer.
"I can honestly say I have found my true passion," said Williams. "All of this would not have been possible to experience the success I have enjoyed to this point without the support of not only my incredibly understanding family, but my friends and former teammates as well."
But Williams wasn't always set on the path to comedic stardom. After attending Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn., during his junior and senior year of high school, he graduated at the age 18 with an associates of arts degree and enrolled at UND.
"My decision to attend UND was driven by the opportunity to play football," said Wiliams. "Throughout high school I attended a number of Fighting Sioux summer football camps. It was a great experience that prepared me for a successful university experience."
Though a redshirt freshman athletically, Williams came to UND as a junior academically.
"Having experienced success academically, there were other options available, however, there was nothing more important to me than having an opportunity to play football," said Williams. "I can't stress enough the influence head coach Roger Thomas, Rob Bollinger, Dale Lennon, Kyle Schweigert, Cindy Klug, and the rest of the staff during those years had on not only my decision to attend UND, but the lessons learned on the practice field, in the weight room, and during meetings continue to play a part in my personal and professional life."
Prior to officially applying for graduation and largely due to the influence of his Russian language instructor, Maria Tichinova, Williams decided to attend the Moscow Institute of Social and Political Studies at the Pushkin Institute in Russia. What had originally started out as a few weeks overseas participating in a language intensive and political lecture series turned into a six-year experience that culminated with him becoming the director of marketing and business development for Hines, an international real estate developer.
He has since taken on several entrepreneurial endeavors, including being a part of a start-up teams that have developed everything from Restaurant.com to Gcadd, a technology-based company based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
"I have been very lucky to have been a part of numerous diverse and exciting ventures throughout the years," said Williams.
While overseas, he had the opportunity to suit up and play with the Oslo Vikings in Copenhagen, Denmark. As much fun as that was, he still refers back to the Fighting Sioux when asked about his fondest football memory.
"I would have to say that being a spectator and celebrating afterwards on the field following UND's NCAA Division II national championship win in 2001 is one of my greatest football memories," said Williams. "Many of the coaches were still on staff, as was my former teammate and roommate and still close friend Tim Tibesar. It was an amazing game, an amazing finish and even more so an honor to be welcomed to celebrate such a huge victory as a member of the Sioux family."
Currently residing in Dallas, Williams has spent the past seven years pursuing his new passions, stand-up comedy and writing. He's lived in New York City and Los Angeles and has had the opportunity to perform all over the United States and Canada. He's been on USO tours and has performed at a number of universities and corporate shows.
"When I first started out trying to find work, I would focus on cities with comedy clubs," said Williams. "I had friends that have shared their homes, picked me up from airports and bus stations, and have come out to support me. I met many of these friends, many of who are still very close friends, during my experience at UND, including Monte Shaide, Chad Syverson, Ross Almlie, David Hillesheim, and Tim Tibesar, to name a few.
"The true quality of the student-athletes that come out of the athletics department are a credit to the University of North Dakota and the program's commitment to excellence on and off the field. I am incredibly proud to tell people that I am and always will be a Fighting Sioux."
Information on Comic Jason James and clips can be found on RooftopComedy.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.
- Go Sioux -
