Spartan Profiles: James P. Hoffa
THE SON ALSO RISES
At the end of The Lion King, the cub Simba regains his 'throne' after vanquishing his father's enemies. It's the favorite movie of James P. Hoffa, '63, who is following the fairy tale script in real life. When he was elected president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters last December, winning every region of the 1.4 million membership, Hoffa took over a union that had enjoyed its zenith under his legendary father, James R. Hoffa. 'We were the strongest, richest union in the free world,' says James. 'We want to get back to that.'
His triumph was a monumental achievement, since he had to campaign all across North America and overcame many power structures blocking his path. He promises to pursue his goals with 'militancy' and 'integrity.' With 2.3 million members in its heyday, the Teamsters were tainted with charges of corruption; the senior Hoffa's disappearance in 1975 was said to be mob connected. 'The mob killed my father,' says James. 'They are never going to come back to this union. I will see to that.'
A Detroit labor lawyer, James enjoys his ties with MSU, where he played football as linebacker for Duffy Daugherty. His wife Virginia and two sons, David and Geoffrey, all graduated from MSU. 'I had a wonderful time on campus,' he recalls. 'I was in Alpha Tau Omega, played football, but don't overemphasize that.' After a knee injury, James explains, 'I threw myself into my studies.'
He raves about his education at MSU. 'I was taught by some of the greatest minds,' he says. 'Walter Adams was a great guy and a great lecturer, very hard on the students, but he really made you think. Professor (Fred) Williams (former history chairperson) was a great, great professor. He taught a marvelous course on the Civil War. At the end of the class, we gave him a standing ovation.'
James himself might one day receive a standing ovation if he achieves his lofty goals and emerges as a true Union King.