| James Macholtz | |
| Birth Date: | 26 August 1926 |
| Birth Place: | St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Alexandria, Indiana, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | Anderson College (1951) Indiana University University of Michigan |
| Player Sport1: | Football |
| Player Years2: | 1947–1950 |
| Player Team2: | Anderson (IN) |
| Player Positions: | Halfback |
| Coach Sport1: | Football |
| Coach Years2: | 1953–1963 |
| Coach Team2: | Anderson (IN) |
| Coach Sport3: | Track and field |
| Coach Years4: | 1953?–1983? |
| Coach Team4: | Anderson (IN) |
| Overall Record: | 54–35–2 (football) |
| Championships: | 3 Hoosier (1957, 1959, 1961) |
| Awards: | As player 3× First-Team All-Hoosier (1948–1950) As coach 2× Hoosier Coach of the Year (1957, 1959) |
James D. Macholtz (August 26, 1926 – April 29, 1985) was an American college football coach, track and field coach, and educator. He was the head football coach for Anderson College—now known as Anderson University—from 1953 to 1964.
Macholtz was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, and attended St. Joseph High School.[1] He participated in basketball and football. As a senior was awarded the bronze Bausch and Lomb science award. He committed to play college football for Anderson College—now known as Anderson University—as a halfback. In four years with the team he earned three All-Hoosier Conference honors in his final three years.[2]
From 1953 to 1963, Macholtz was the head football coach for Anderson.[3] In his eleven-year career with the school he led them to a 56–42–2 record along three Hoosier Conference titles in 1957, 1959, and 1961.[4] His best seasons as head coach came from 1957 to 1959 as they won seven or more games with only one loss each season.
Macholtz served the track and field coach for Anderson for 25 years.[5]
In 1964, Macholtz served as a Fulbright Program lecturer in the Philippines.[6] He served as a physical education specialist.
Macholtz was a member of the physical education department for Anderson and was eventually the chairman for the department.[7] [8] In 1966, he was promoted to a full-time professor. In 1983, he became the dean of Anderson's School of Theoretical and Applied Sciences.[9]
From 1944 to 1945, Macholtz served as a cadet in the United States Merchant Marine. From 1946 to 1947, he served in the United States Army.
Macholtz held a Bachelor of Science in physical education and chemistry from Anderson, a Master's degree from both the University of Michigan and Indiana University, and a Doctorate from Indiana.[10]
Macholtz was the author of the books "Good Times Together" and "How To Be A Winning Loser."[11]
Throughout Macholtz's life he was an avid member of local churches, specifically he was the president of the International Young Fellowship. He was a member of the Park Place Church of God in Anderson, Indiana.
On April 29, 1985, Macholtz died suddenly of a heart attack while on a jog in Alexandria, Indiana.
Following Macholtz's death, Anderson College renamed it's athletic field in his honor to Macholtz Stadium.[12] [13]