When Jason Figura graduated in 2005, one of the most outstanding individual athletic careers in the history of Jim Thorpe High School ended.

Figura amassed 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. His accomplishments and achievements, most of them coming in basketball and football were numerous.In football, he was the team's offensive MVP as a sophomore and was named to the "Anthracite 8" second team as a running back. He also excelled on defense that year and was named to THE TIMES NEWS first team as a defensive back.In 2003 as a junior, Figura led the team in rushing with 1,038 yards on 194 carries and 11 touchdowns and again earned the offensive MVP Award. He was named to the "Anthracite 8" first team as a running back and first team as a defensive back. He was also named to the TIMES NEWS first team as a specialist. Figura also received the MVP trophy in the "Route 209" contest against Lehighton for his play against the Indians. He was named to the Schuylkill County All-Star team as a first-team versatility back and received All-State Honorable Mention running back by the Pennsylvania Football News.In his senior season in 2004, he was named team captain and for the third year in a row was the Offensive MVP. He was THE TIMES NEWS Player of the Year and BRCTV Channel 13 Male Athlete of the Fall Season. He was also named First team All-Schuylkill County as a running back, first team "All Anthracite 8", first team Reading Eagle, first team Morning Call, and was the MVP once again of the "Route 209" game between Jim Thorpe and Lehighton. That Summer Figura also was named the MVP of the Wachovia North/South All Star Game and was a nominee to the PA All-State team.His overall statistics were impressive as he became the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,403 yards on 621 carries scoring a total of 57 touchdowns (44 rushing, three receiving and five on defense and special teams). He also threw for five TDs.His most memorable game in his career was against Schuylkill Haven in 2004 when he rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries.Figura was also successful on the hardwoods.In his sophomore season, Figura won the Grand Theft Auto Award at JTAHS. As a junior he was named MVP after scoring 368 points averaging almost 15 points per game. He was also named to the TIMES NEWS first team.As a senior, Figura was once again name MVP and won the offensive team leader award. He averaged 18.3 ppg. scoring 1,068 points in his career which included 76 percent from the foul line. He was once again named to the TIMES NEWS area first team along with the Raider Classic first team, and the Republican Herald second team.Figura finished off his career by receiving the 2005 Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award.The Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall. Cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner starting at 6 p.m. The induction ceremony is scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. and entertainment will follow at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the induction ceremonies and the entire evening can be obtained by calling Craig Zurn at 570-325-3855/3363, Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073, Ron Sheehan at 570-325-4244 or Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923.The Class of 2012 includes Figura, Tom Skelly, the 1935 Mauch Chunk Catholic High School football team, Derick Reis, Jacob Heydt, Justin Young and Aaron Smith.During the next few weeks, the TIMES NEWS will be featuring highlights of the careers of each inductee leading up to the banquet on August 18..