Jim graduated from CMR in 1980 and played Tailback for Coach Jack Johnson. Kalafat was a standout running back in 1979, where he earned All-State, All-Conference and a permanent spot on the elite 1,000-yard club and was a Two-Time All-State Football Selection. With 226 carries, Kalafat galloped for 1,178 yards and was the leading rusher in the state of Montana his senior year and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. He also recorded a record kick-off return of 88 yards against Billings West that stood for numerous years. Kalafat also has the all-time bench press record of 400 lbs. in his senior year, which is still a school lifting record for the Rustlers. At 5’ 11’ and 232 lbs., Kalafat earned himself a full ride scholarship to Montana State University – Bobcats. Jim was a 4-year letterman at MSU 1980-83’. Jim shared a starting role as Fullback his freshman year and was the starting Fullback his sophomore year. Going into his Junior Year of college, Coach Doug Graber then had Kalafat switch his talents from an offensive player to defense, where Kalafat excelled at Inside Linebacker. Kalafat set an all-time record his junior year with the Big Sky Conference with a total of 202 tackles his junior year and a single game total tackle record of 28 tackles in one game against Reno Nevada. Kalafat was named honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference his Junior Year and voted team captain his Senior Year by coaching staff and players. Kalafat was named honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference his Senior Year. Kalafat was voted most likely to be an All American by the Associated Press his Senior Year. Was awarded the Victor's Club award 8 out of the 11 games his senior year and was the leading tackler for the Cats and lead the Big Sky Conference his Senior Year with 168 total tackles albeit an ankle injury and missing 3.5 games. Kalafat was drafted in the 15th round by the San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States Football League U.S.F.L. He was one of only two Linebackers drafted by the Gunslingers that year but decided to wait for the N.F.L. draft and was a walk on for the Kansas City Chiefs in which he played all four-pre-season games until an injury cut his career short. Kalafat then played one year for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (C.F.L.) and then played one season (1987) for the Los Angeles Rams of the N.F.L. which resulted in a career ending injury. In 1989, Jim tried out for the American Gladiators television show and played Laser for 7 seasons and was the longest tenured Gladiator from the inception of this iconic show, until it ended. Kalafat was also voted Team Captain by all his fellow Gladiator Teammates.