Jim Kays

Prepared to focus 150/Lightweight/Sprint Players to support Jim’s Nomination to the Army Sports Hall of Fame

JAMES L. KAYS

BRIGADIER GENERAL, UNITED STATES ARMY

1941 – 2021

As a Quarterback, Coach and Officer Representative, Jim gave 26 years to 150 / Lightweight / Sprint Football. Jim has always given his time to others and in creating and resolving issues and problems. In the years since 1958, I have never know Jim to ask for anything in response to his help. You, You are the only ones he ever asked. He asked you to give. To give all that you have to the Game he loved.

The 1985 Princeton 150 Game – he gave 26 years to the 150s
When he points that finger, you had better listen

For the two Plebes Teams he coached against the Hive and Goat Teams, Jim created the Tight Butt Formation, bring linemen in tight to prevent the much larger Upper Class men from breaking into the backfield. During the 19 years, even when Jim was Department Head of the Systems Engineering Department he created, there were two constants. Col. Kays on the sideline and winning Football.

Jeane was at the Fort Bragg Officers Club Pool on July 3, 1961, when Jimmy met the love of his life. Jimmy was to depend on Jeane for the next 59 years. He graduated 9th in his Classes as an Artillery Officer on June 6, 1962. Just prior to Graduation, Jim stood before an Officers Board to determine his fitness for Commissioning. His medical record implied the knee injury he sustained in the last game of the 1960 season would prevent active duty. Jim stated he had quarterbacked the 150s in the last game of the 1961 season without difficulty and had guided the Team to the win. He further stated that he would attend and graduate from both Ranger and Airborne Schools. Jeane and Jimmy were married on June 10th.

Jim completed Airborne training without difficulty, but the knee which he blew out required several attempts to complete Ranger School. In 1964 the Ranger Tab was sown on. The first assignment with the 82d was shortened when Jim Volunteered for Military Assistance Command Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star, Commendation Medal with V and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Upon his return he was assigned to USATC, Fort Campbell; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Math. Dept. USMA; back to the Far East with an Arty Bn in Korea; CGSC; ODCSOPS Army General Staff; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Math. Dept. USMA; Director, Operations Research Center, Office of the Dean, USMA where Jim created The Systems Engineering Department, becoming the Department Head. Jim Retired in 1998.

Jim accepted a position as the Mathematics Department Head, Auburn University, Montgomery.

Jim was to created one more Systems Engineering Department as Dean, Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Naval Post Graduate School.

As a Professor in the Academy Math Department, Jim became an Assistant Coach with the 150s. His appointment to Plebe Coach in 1970, resulted in those two teams contributing to a record of 29 & 1, beating Navy each year.

Jim returned to West Point as an Associate Professor in 1978. In 1987 Jim began the process of creating the Systems Engineering Department. He was to become the Head, of the Department and the Director, USMA Operations Research Center.

There are 3 points of interest relating to USMA Systems Engineering Department. Jim would visit the Army Staff searching for projects for his Cadets. One such one was the Cadet proposal presented to the Army Staff of an all terrain wheeled vehicle similiar to the Humvee. The Army’s Armored Divisions had great success with the Half Track used by the Armored Rifle Battalions during World War II. The Systems Engineering Department was compensated by the Army for Cadet Research, until the Dean became aware of compensation and accepted it for all Departments.

Even more significant was the first Accreditation by the Board for Engineering and Technology. The lead evaluator was Dr. Yaco Y. Haime. During the presentation to the Staff and Faculty Dr. Haime indicated that he evaluated programs both in the US and abroad. He went on to say that the Academy’s Systems Engineering Program was the finest he had ever evaluated.

The 5 year requirement for Instructors impacted an Officer’s Career. Jim spoke to the Dean. He received a commitment by Branch to release an officer once his replacement was in. Jim discussed with at least one University Department Head to provide an accelerated program. Jim’s agreement to release officers early, allowed the length to approach 3.5 years. The Cadets got the Officers Jim wanted.

Jim rejoined the 150s becoming the Officer Responsible. For 19 years Jim provided continuity for the program, specifically Head Coaches, Larry Henley, (1980-81), Bob Knapp (1982-84), Tim Mingey (1984-86) and Bob Thompson (1986-1998); Jim recruited the assistant coaches from the Academic and Tactical Departments. Many of these assistant coaches were former Army 150 players who sustained and reinforced the 150 / Sprint / Lightweight Culture – dedication to excellence, a winning tradition, and commitment to team. These assistant coaches were the reasons the Army 150 / Lightweight Football Program was one of the most successful at the Academy. The teams during that period won over 80% of their games, won league championships, beat Navy regularly and won several bowl games. The most significant accomplishment of these teams was that they consistently won the Academy’s award to the athletic team with the best combined performance in all areas of cadet development — academics, military aptitude and athletics.

The Kays Trophy, awarded annually to the outstanding player in the Eastern Lightweight Football League, was established in honor of Colonel James L. Kays in 1990.

As a Department Head, Jim was faced with issues he had little need to address up to that point of his career. At the start of each Academic Year Jim would explain his expectations. Each year he would state Inappropriate Acts would not be tolerated. Each of 2 complaints would be evaluated, but a third would be automatic release. One officer stood in front of Jim twice before he got the message.

Cadets turned to Jim. One night he received a phone call from a concerned Cadet, requiring him to go to the roof of Cullum Hall to curtail a Spirit Mission. The Young Lady Cadet was clad in only 2 pieces of clothing. The first knock at his back door was by a Cadet who had visited a campus as an exchange student, and as she was unpacking her door was opened and 4 or 5 individuals entered threatening to rape her. The verbal abuse she yelled at them and the threats of bodily harm she would inflict drove them from the room. She packed and returned to West Point. Jim handled the situation giving her some satisfaction. The second knock at his back door was by a Cadet with a complaint against her Team Officer Responsible. Jim again met with the Commandant and was told to investigate the complaint. Jim was able to reach a Graduate in Germany who confirmed the officer’s conduct. The Officer immediately was relieved of duty and departed West Point.

In 1980 when Jim received his Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he was awarded the 1980 Joaquin B. Diaz Award, presented by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute annually to a doctoral student in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and research in mathematics. Jim contributed to over 17 Publications and spoke at over 21 Academic Presentations; he was a 1980-1982 Co-principal investigator conducting classified research in underwater acoustics for the Office of Naval Research; and 1985 Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology, Who’s Who in America. In 2020, Jim was inducted into the Army Operations Research Society of America Hall of Fame.

Jim’s Service contribution is represented by his three Army Commendation Medals (one for Valor), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Service Medal. The Navy, even the Navy appreciated his contribution by naming him Chair of Naval Systems Engineering in 2008.

To look at numbers, Jim was a mentor to Cadets, and the 150 / Sprint / Lightweight Football Players of 29 West Point Classes. Take it a step further he was a mentor for the Women and Men he served with, but especially those of the System Engineering Department.

Six years ago, Jeane realized Jimmy was beginning to fail (Too Many Concussions). Jeane was at his side, caring for him every day. On 6 January, in Jimmy’s last hours, Jeane dressed him in a Beat Navy T-Shirt.

Sam Mills a linebacker and Assistant Coach gave the Carolina Panthers their Motto – “Keep Pounding” I failed the two times I Nominated Jim. I want you to Keep Pounding year after year until my Classmate, my Roommate, my Friend, the man who dragged me through Academics, (6th from the bottom) is inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame.

When you succeed, I will not speak. Nor will I attend. It is between you and Jim Kays.

Jim earned 2 Army As – Yearling and Cow Years

FIRST NOMINATION YEARS AGO
I Nominate James L. Kays, USMA Class of 1962 to the Army Sports Hall of Fame. Jim gave 26 years to Army 150 Lightweight t Football. As a Cadet, Officer Coach and later as Officer Representative, Jim devoted himself to the Program.

Jim’s commitment to 150 Football began in 1958 as a Plebe Quarterback. Later, as an instructor in the Department of Mathematics (1969 – 1971), Jim was an Army 150 assistant coach. In 1970, Jim was assigned by Coach Tipton to be Head Coach of the Plebe Team. As upper classmen the Cadets from his two Plebe Teams contributed to the domination of the league for the next 4 years.

Returning to West Point as Permanent Professor in 1980, Jim rejoined the 150s where he served as Officer Representative for 19 years until his retirement from active duty in the fall of 1998. While providing the continuity for the program’s four different Head Coaches, Larry Henley (1980-81), Bob Knapp (1982-84), Tim Mingey (1984-86) and Bob Thompson (1986-1998); Jim recruited the assistant coaches from the Academic and Tactical Departments. Many of these assistant coaches were former Army 150 players who sustained and reinforced the 150 / Lightweight culture — dedication to excellence, a winning tradition, and commitment to team. These assistant coaches were one of the reasons the Army 150 / Lightweight Football Program was one of the most successful at the Academy. The teams during that period won over 80% of their games, won league championships, beat Navy regularly and won several bowl games. The most significant accomplishment of these teams was that they consistently won the Academy’s award to the athletic team with the best combined performance in all areas of cadet development — academics, military aptitude and athletics.

For 19 years there were two constants in the Army 150 / Lightweight Program – winning football and Colonel Kays on the sideline. The measure of any Army athletic program is the development of future Army Officers. I have no specifics, but I know Jim Kays, and I know that the Cadets he touched during his 26 year commitment went on to serve our nation with distinction.

Summary of Contribution

Cadet Quarterback 1958 – 1960

Class Numerals as Plebe

Army A Yearling & Cow Years

Coaching duties as Firstie due to severe knee injury last game 1960

However, in a snow storm, the last game of the 1961 season, with the team
struggling, Coach Tipton sent in Jim to quarterback the 2d half. 150s won.

Instructor Department of Mathematics 1969 -1972

Assistant Coach 1969, Head Coach of the Plebe Team 1970 & 1971

Plebe Teams won 4 of the 4 games against Goats / Engineers

As upperclassmen his Plebes contributed to the 6 and 1 season in
1971 and the undefeated seasons in 1972, 73 and 1974.

Professor 1980 – 1998
1978 – 1984, Permanent Associate Professor, Dept of Math

1985 – 1987, Permanent Professor, Dept of Math

1988 – 1989, Director, USMA Operations Research Center, Office of the Dean

1989 – 1990, Professor USMA and Head, Dept of Systems Engineering and
Director, USMA Operations Research Center

1990 – 1998, Professor USMA and Head, Dept of Systems Engineering

Officer Representative Army 150 / Lightweight Football 1980 – 1998

The Kays Trophy, awarded annually to the outstanding player in the Eastern Lightweight Football League, was established in honor of Colonel James L. Kays in 1990

Jim’s Resume

Prof James L. Kays

US Naval Postgraduate School, USA

Monterey, California 93943-5117

Education

1980 Ph.D. (Mathematics), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

1969 MS (Mathematics), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

1962 BS, U.S. Military Academy

Other courses

1996 Government Program Management

1993 Total Quality Management, Colleges and Universities

1988 Simulation and SLAM II

1988 The Extended Simulation System (TESS)

1987 Modeling, Simulation and Gaming of Warfare

1986 Analytic Techniques of Management

Positions

2002- Dean, Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, NPS

1998-2002 Professor and Head, Department of Mathematics, Auburn University, Montgomery

1990-1998 Professor and Head, Department of Systems Engineering, US Military Academy

He created the Systems Engineering Department, serving as it first Department Head

Click on Dept Crest

1989-1990 Acting Head, Department of Systems Engineering, US Military Academy

1987-1989 Director, Operations Research Center, Office of the Dean, US Military Academy

1985-1987 Professor of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, US Military Academy

1978-1985 Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, US Military Academy

1974-1976 Staff Officer, Operations Directorate, ODCSOPS, Army General Staff, Washington, D.C.

1973-1974 Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, 2d Infantry Division, Republic of Korea

1969-1972 Instructor, Assistant Professor, Department Mathematics, US Military Academy

1964-1965 Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Brigade S-1, USATC, Fort Campbell, KY

1963-1964 Battery Fire Direction Officer, Executive Officer; Battalion Assistant S-3, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC

Teaching experience

26 years of undergraduate teaching experience in mathematics and systems engineering:

1. Department of Mathematics, USMA (1969-1972, 1978-1987

MA 391 Mathematical Modeling

MA 473 Intermediate Probability and Statistics

MA 208 Introductory Probability and Statistics

MA 492 Applied Combinatorics

MA 152 Multi-variable Calculus

MA 387 Mathematical Analysis

MA 487 Advanced Calculus

MA 151 Single Variable Calculus

MA 162 Multi-variable Calculus

MA 384 Ordinary Differential Equations

MA 484 Partial Differential Equations

MA 485 Complex Analysis

MA 371 Linear Algebra

MA 482 Abstract Algebra

2. Department of Systems Engineering, USMA (1989-1998)

SE 387 Deterministic Models

SE 401 Introduction to Systems Design

SE 489 Advanced Individual Study

SE 381 Engineering Economy

SE 388 Probabilistic Models

SE 453 Advanced Engineering Decision Methods

SE 487 Operations Research I

3. Department of Mathematics, Auburn University Montgomery (1999)

MATH 1100 Finite Mathematics

MATH 1610 Calculus I

MATH 1620 Calculus II

MATH 2670 Elementary Statistics

Publications

“Analysis of Acoustical Effects of Receiver and Source Motions at Short Ranges in a Deep Ocean,” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 66, pp 1120-1130 (1979), senior author.

“Analysis of Acoustical Effects of Relative Receiver-Source Motion at Intermediate Ranges in a Deep Ocean,” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 68, pp 613-627 (1980), senior author.

Ph.D. Dissertation, “Mathematical Analysis of Deep-Ocean Acoustical Effects of Receiver and Source Motions at Short and Intermediate Ranges,” Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1980.

“Short-Range Acoustical Effects of Depth-Varying Source Motion at Short Ranges,” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 69, pp 95-107 (1981), senior author.

“Acoustic Descriptors of Underwater Sound-Source Motion(U),” Proceedings of the 34th Navy Symposium for Underwater Acoustics, Vol. III, pp 460-489 (1982), senior author.

“Preliminary Feasibility Study-RPI TMA Algorithm(U),” RPI Technical Report for the Naval Sea Systems Command, 1982, senior author.

“Three Dimensional Tracking of an Ocean Sound Source by Acoustic Descriptors and a Linear Array(U),” The Journal of Underwater Acoustics, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp 1-14 (1983),
senior author.

“Modeling for the Revised OPMS,” technical report completed for the U.S. Army Personnel Center, 1986.

“SADARM Aim-Point Sensing,” technical report completed for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (Operations Research), February 1988.

“On Constructing Interval Scales Using Data Resulting from Categorical Judgments,” technical review and report completed for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army
(Operations Research), July 1988.

“Impact of 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act on Army Officer Professional Development,” with M.L. McGinnis, Koopman Prize Finalist, Military Applications Section (MAS), Operations Research Society of America, 1988.

“Computer Simulation Modeling of the United States Army Professional Development Process,” Proceedings, 54th Military Operations Research Society Symposium, Monterey, CA, 1988.

“The Impact of Title IV on Officer Professional Development,” with M. McGinnis, Operations Research Center Technical Report, USMA, 1989.

“Computer Simulation of U.S. Army Officer Professional Development,” with M. McGinnis, Proceedings of the 1994 Winter Simulation Conference.

“A Historical Perspective of Undergraduate Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy,” with M. McGinnis, Proceedings of the 1995 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.

“The Installation Status Report,” with T. O’Hara and J. Farr, accepted for publication in the Journal of Infrastructure Systems, American Society of Civil Engineers, 1996.

“Resource Allocation for Army Installation Management,” with E. Lind and J. Farr, Journal of Infrastructure Systems, American Society for Civil Engineers, Vol. 3, No. 4. pp177-182(1997).

Presentations

“Short-Range Sound Transmission between Moving Receivers and Sources in the Deep Ocean,” at the meeting of The Acoustical Society of America, Cambridge, MA, June 1979.

“Deep-Ocean Acoustical Effects of Relative Receiver-Source Motion at Intermediate Ranges,” at the meeting of The Acoustical Society of America, Atlanta, GA, April 1980.

“Deep-Ocean Acoustical Effects of Depth-Varying Source Motion at Short Ranges,” at the meeting of The Acoustical Society of Ameri

ca, Los Angeles, CA, November 1980.

“Acoustic Descriptors of Underwater Soun

d-Source Motion(U),” technical presentation at the Naval Underwater Systems Center, June 1981.

“Acoustic Descriptors of Underwater S

ound-Source Motion(U),” at the 34th Navy Symposium for Underwater Acoustics, San Diego, CA, December 1981.

“Alternatives for Modeling the Revised OPMS,” technical presentation at MILPERCEN, Alexandria, VA, January 1986.

“Operations Research–How Scientific Is It or Should It Be?”, 11th OR/SA Advisory Committee Meeting, College of William and Mary, 17 Marc

h 1988.

“A Study of the Operations Research Curriculum at USMA,” 11th OR/SA Advisory Committee Meeting, College of William and Mary, 17 March 1988.

“The Scientific Method in Operations Research,” Education Colloquium of the Military Operations Research Society, 6 April 1988.

“Operations Research Education at the U.S. Military Academy,” Education Colloquium of the Military Operations Research Society, 6 April 1988.

“Forecasting Personnel Requirements for the U.S. Army,” accepted for presentation at the Eighth International Symposium on Forecasting, Amsterdam, June 1988. (shortage
of government funds prevented attendance)

“An FMS Model for Assessing Personnel Management Policy in the Army,” with CPT Michael L. McGinnis and CPT Scott T. Forster, the national meeting of the Operations Research Society of America, October 1988.

“Forecasting Personnel Requirements for the U.S. Army,” with Dr. Ruth A. Maurer, the national meeting of the Operations Research Society of America, October 1988.

“Operations Research Education at the Undergraduate Level: An Assessment at the U.S. Military Academy,” the national meeting of the Operations Research Society of America, October 1988.

“Computer Simulation Modeling of the United States Army Professional Development Process,” with M.L. McGinnis and S. Forster, 54th Military Operations Research Society Symposium, Monterey, CA; Operations Research Society of America, Joint National Conference, 1988.

“An FMS Model for Assessing Personnel Management Policy in the Army,” with M. McGinnis, Operations Research Society of America, National Conference, 1988.

“The Analytical Hierarchy Process Applied to Force Design, Operations Research Society of America, National Conference, 1989.

“Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy,” National Council on Systems Engineering, National Conference, 1992.

“Professional Development of Operations Research Analysts,” Colloquium, Education Committee, Military Operations Research Society, 1993.

“Lessons Learned from ABET Accreditation Process,” with D. Thomas and J. Farr, Seventeenth Annual American Society of Engineering Management Conference, 1996.

Other conferences

Symposium on Waves on Fluid Interfaces, Mathematics Research Center, University of Wisconsin, October 1982.

1st Army Conference on Applied Mathematics and Computing, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., May 1983.

63d Summer Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America, Albany, NY, August 1983.

Meeting of the Logistics and Operations Research Subcommittee of the Army Mathematics Steering Committee, Concepts Analysis Agency, Bethesda, MD, February 1985.

Army Research Office Workshop on System Reliability, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., March 1985.

Meeting of the Logistics and Operations Research Subcommittee of the Army Mathematics Steering Committee, Lexington, KY, December 1986.

National meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and The Operations Research Society of America, New Orleans, LA, May 1987.

Meeting of the Military Operations Research Society, Maxwell AFB, AL, May 1987.
National meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and The Operations Research Society of America, St. Louis, MO, October 1987.

Winter Simulation Conference, Atlanta, GA, December 1987.

National meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and The Operations Research Society of America, Washington, D.C., April 1988.

Meeting of the Military Operations Research Society, Naval Postgraduate School, June 1988.

Workshop on Soviet Troop Control, ODCSOPS, DA, Washington, D.C., June 1988.

Co-Chairman, Working Group, “ADP Technology for Military OR,” Meeting of the Military Operations Research Society, to be held at Ft Leavenworth, KS, June 1989.

Chair, Technical Session, Military Applications Section, National meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and The Operations Research Society of America, New York City, NY, October 1989.

Other research and academic activities

2000 Consultant, Center for Business and Economic Development, AUM

1999 Consultant, US Army TRADOC Analysis Center-Monterey

1988 to 1990 Referee for Interfaces

1994-present Associate Editor, Military Operations Research

June 1987 Chairman of Technical Session, Fifth Army Conference on Applied Mathematics and Computing, USMA

1983-1986 Member of doctoral committees for candidates for the Ph.D. in applied mathematics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

May 1983 Chairman of Technical Session, First Army Conference on Applied Mathematics and Computing, George Washington University

1983-1985 Member and reviewer of manuscripts for the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications

1980-1982 Co-principal investigator conducting classified research in underwater acoustics for the Office of Naval Research, Contract No. N00014-81-K-0054
Institutional Governance Activities

US Military Academy:

Curriculum Committee, 1980-1984

Officer Representative, Army Lightweight Football, 1981-1998

Click on the above photo

Treasurer, USMA Class of 1962 Educational Fund, 1971-1972, 1979-1985

Vice President, Class of 1962 Educational Fund, 1986-1989

Class Trustee, Association of Graduates, 1982-1983

Chair, Self-Study Committee for Leader Development Coordination, Middle States Accreditation, 1988-1989

Member, Committee to Review Recommendations for Promotion to Professor of Designated Subject, 1986-1988

Chair, Faculty Credentials and Promotion Committee, 1989-1998

Member, Policy Board, US Military Academy, 1994-1996

Member, Admissions Committee, 1994-1998

Chair or member, USMA faculty search committees, 1986-1998

Auburn University Montgomery:

Member, Faculty Senate, 2000-present

President-Elect, Faculty Senate and Council, 2001-2002

Member, Information Technology Advisory Council, 2000-present

Chair, Information Technology Planning Committee, 2000

Extracurricular and Community Activities

Past and Present Professional Societies:

Operations Research Society of America

Chair, Education Committee, Military Operations Research Society, 1991-1992

Military Operations Research Society (member of the Board of Directors, 1989-1993, 1997-1999)

Military Operations Research Society, Vice President for Professional Affairs, 1992-1993

National Council on Systems Engineering

American Society for Engineering Education

Honorary Societies:

The Honorary Society of Phi Kappa Phi

The Scientific Research Society of Sigma Xi

Academic Recognition

1985 Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology, Who’s Who in America

1980 Joaquin B. Diaz Award, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, presented annually to a doctoral student in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and
research in mathematics

1962 Distinguished Graduate (top 5%), USMA