James L. Easton

Lore & Background

James L. Easton was born on July 26, 1935, to James D. Easton, a businessman and archer. He graduated from UCLA with a bachelor of science in engineering in 1959. After working for Douglas Aircraft Company from 1959 to 1964, he joined his father's company, Jas. D. Easton, in the late 1960s. There, with his brother Bob Easton, he developed the first aluminum ski poles, followed by the first aluminum baseball bats—both previously made of wood. In the 1980s, they similarly developed aluminum hockey sticks to replace traditional wooden ones. Easton served as chairman, CEO, and President of Jas. D. Easton from 1973. He also served on the board of directors of Ambassadors Group from 2001 to 2006.

In archery, Easton served as President of the World Archery Federation from 1989 to 2005 and was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1997. He became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1994, a position he held until his death. His philanthropic work included serving as Chairman of the Easton Foundations, a family foundation. He was appointed to the board of trustees of the UCLA Foundation in 1985, awarded the UCLA Medal in 2014, and served on the Board of Visitors of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. In 2015, he donated US$11 million to endow the Easton Technology Management Center at UCLA Anderson. Easton died on December 4, 2023, at age 88.

Reader's Guide

James L. Easton's significance lies in his dual impact on archery governance and sports equipment innovation. As President of the World Archery Federation from 1989 to 2005, he led the international governing body for the sport during a period of growth and modernization. His concurrent membership on the International Olympic Committee from 1994 until his death gave him a direct role in the Olympic movement, further elevating archery's profile. In business, his work at Jas. D. Easton revolutionized multiple sports by pioneering aluminum equipment—first ski poles, then baseball bats, and later hockey sticks—replacing traditional wooden gear. These innovations changed the performance and durability standards in those sports. His philanthropic legacy includes the Easton Foundations and a major endowment at UCLA Anderson School of Management, where he established the Easton Technology Management Center with an $11 million donation in 2015. His induction into the Archery Hall of Fame in 1997 recognized his contributions to the sport. Easton's career thus spanned manufacturing, sports governance, and charitable giving, making him a figure whose influence extended well beyond archery alone.

Did You Know?

• Easton developed the first aluminum ski poles and baseball bats, replacing traditional wooden equipment.
• He donated US$11 million in 2015 to endow the Easton Technology Management Center at UCLA Anderson.