Inductees

James H. Wilkinson’s coaching career began with an assistant coaching position at his alma mater, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), in 1942. Wilkinson also served stints at the Kansas City YMCA, the R.T. Coles Vocational School and Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where his 1966 squad won a Missouri Class L state title. His teams won 49 consecutive Interscholastic League games in the mid-1960s.

Among the players he coached was Warren Armstrong, who later changed his name to Warren Jabali, considered among the top basketball players in Kansas City high-school history.

Wilkinson’s career high-school coaching record was 292-71.

Wilkinson worked at the NCAA national office from 1969 through 1981, serving as an assistant executive director for general administration under Walter Byers.

Wilkinson left KC Central High School  in 1969 to concentrate on developing the NCAA’s role in the National Youth Sports Program. He worked for the Association until his retirement in 1981.