For someone who had never picked up a fencing weapon until he enrolled at Columbia, James Margolis carved out an illustrious career and went down as one of the finest epeeists the Lions have ever seen.
Margolis had an opportunity to take a management position at a local supermarket, but opted to come to Columbia instead – which worked out wonderfully for the fencing program.
In 1957, his second year on the squad, Margolis led Columbia to the first Ivy League team championship and was the individual winner in epee. He went on to win the IFA crown and claimed the top spot at the NCAA Championships to cap his stellar campaign.
Margolis capped his career with first team All-Ivy League honors in 1958 with a 12-2 mark and another team conference title. However, an injury robbed him of a chance to repeat as national champion.
Upon graduation, he was a member of the 1960 United States Olympic Team in Rome and competed in the 1960 and 1963 Pan American Games.
Margolis entered the life insurance business for 40 years and also served as manager at the Brookline Emergency Food Pantry, a food shelter that receives 85 to 90 visits a week from individuals, families and seniors in need.
