UNCW basketball clock operator’s 50th year begins, milestone is bittersweet.

This summer Jim Harris was diagnosed with stage three cancer. Yet, he says he won't miss a game for this season.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) – Jim Harris is a UNCW Seahawk through and through.

“Bonafide,” says Harris of his Teal pride. “I’ve been pretty active on campus… Even other than keeping the clock for 50 years.”

His commitment to the job was unquestioned. Now, it is being tested. As his 50th season begins, so do his chemotherapy and radiation treatments to cure his stage three prostate cancer earlier this year.

“I am more determined to keep going. I’ll have bad days once in a while. But when I get out of bed, take my shower, get dressed, then I feel it’s any other day. I go do the things I do, go eat breakfast with the guys over at Ruth’s Kitchen… and go about doing the things I do during the day. Whether it be yard work, going to the bank, post office, coming out to UNCW and watching them practice… I just keep it in the back of my mind ‘You gotta do it. Just keep doing it’, and I think this is where I will be for another 50 years.”

Harris remains on the schedule for every home game and other events. “Immediately I told them, ‘Every game,'” said Harris. “I look forward to it. I’ll be there. There’s nothing else that would cause me to make changes. I’m just ready to do it.”

This story is being updated with stories, quotes, and more. Here is the link to the GoFundMe created to raise funds for Jim’s costs of fighting cancer.