Jim Givens was a two-time all-Mid-American Conference shortstop before being drafted in 1991 by the Detroit Tigers and spending five seasons in the Tigers’ organization.

In 1992, Givens was the everyday shortstop on the Lakeland Tigers championship team, was promoted to the Toledo Mud Hens in 1993 after 72 games at AA London, Ontario and went to Major League spring training with the Tigers in 1994 and 1995. At Kent State, Givens was a four-year starter, a two-time team captain, second all-MAC and all-region in 1991 after being first-team all-MAC and all-region in 1990 and MAC honorable mention in 1989.

His fielding percentage remains the best all-time among KSU shortstops. He had single season records for at bats (218), hits (78) and assists (178) in 1991 and led KSU in career games played (209), stolen bases (54), at bats (773), hits (239) and assists (589). The Findlay native also had a stellar career at Findlay High as a three-year letterman in baseball and one year in basketball. Givens is in his 14th year as an associate athletics director at the University of Findlay.