Stan James - 1995

      Stan James was born in Hunter, Arkansas and graduated from Stamps High School. While at Stamps High, James lettered in basketball, baseball, and football his junior and senior years.

      James attended the University or Arkansas at Monticello starting in 1957, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961. While at the University he participated and lettered in basketball and baseball. Upon his graduation in May 1961, he accepted a fellowship with the University of Tennessee Physical Education Department in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stan graduated from the University of Tennessee in May 1962 with a Masters of Science Degree. He also has additional graduate study with Troy State University and Auburn University.

      In August 1962, Stan accepted a coaching position with the Tullahoma, Tennessee City Schools System as a basketball coach and assistant football coach. In August 1967, James accepted a coaching and teaching position with Yancey State Junior College (which is now Faulkner State Community College) in Bay Minette, Alabama.

      Under his leadership at Faulkner State, the baseball program was originated in 1968and until he stopped coaching baseball in 1982 had accumulated over 300 wins along with eight AJCC Southern Division Championship, one Regional Championship, and nine Southern Division Baseball Coach of the Year Awards. Many of his players went on to play at four-year schools, and nine were drafted by professional teams.

      The Women’s basketball program began in 1975 and under his leadership accumulated over 200 wins with two State Championships, six Southern Division titles and six Southern Division Coach of the Year Awards. Faulkner State also finished sixth in the nation in 1977 and set a national scoring record (most points scored by two teams) that remains unbeaten.

      In 1983, Faulkner State initiated their Women’s Softball program and under Coach James’ direction the team has never experienced a losing season. The softball program has finished in third place in the National Softball Tournament three times and won the State Softball Championship three consecutive years in 1985, 1986, 1987. Stan has received three Region 22 Softball Coach of the Year Awards. At the end ’94 season, the softball teams had a 353 to 170 win-loss record.

      The women’s volleyball program began at Faulkner State in 1987 and under Coach James’ leadership won the Regional Championship in 1989, finished second in the District Nine Playoffs and Stan was names Region 22 Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1989.

      Stan James received the City of Bay Minette, Alabama’s Distinguished Service Award in 1973. He was recognized in 1975 with an Outstanding Educators of America Award for contributions to the advancement of higher education and community service. The Faulkner State Baseball field was named in his honor in 1975, and 1979 the Woodsmen of the World presented him their Distinguished Family and Youth Community Service Award. Coach James has three children: Kimberly Lynn, Steven Palmer, Christopher Wayne; and two grandchildren.

      Although Coach James has received many outstanding awards and recognition, perhaps the most significant point of his coaching career at Faulkner State is the fact that he has been named Coach of the Year in four major junior college athletic programs, baseball, women’s basketball, women’s softball and women’s volleyball with all of these teams winning state and regional titles under his leadership.

      During Stan James’ coaching career his teams have accumulated over one thousand victories, truly a remarkable accomplishment.