Hot Springs, AR - Lyon College men's basketball standout Jim Haney '68 has been inducted in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Haney is inducted alongside other players, coaches, and those who have made an impact on Arkansas sports.
Haney was a member of the then Arkansas College Scots men's basketball team that won the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) tournament championship in 1968 under head coach R.C. "Dick" Winningham. He earned numerous accolades from 1964-1968 including three First Team All-AIC selections and was honored with the AIC Sportsmanship Award three years in a row. In 1968, he would lead the AIC in scoring (639) and go onto play in National AAU Basketball Tournament with Carder Buick. That same year he would be invited to a try-out camp for the Milwaukee Bucks. He still holds several records for Lyon including 4th in Career scoring (1,892), 3rd in Career field goals made (742), 3rd in Season scoring 1967-68 (639), and 6th in Season scoring 1966-67 (616).
After his time playing came to an end, he began a coaching career that spanned a decade. Fresh out of college he would return to Salem, AR to become the head basketball coach for Salem High School where he was an alumnus. He was able to translate his knowledge of the game to his new players as in 1969 they would win a championship. Haney would depart from Salem after the 1971 season, and continue coaching in Jonesboro (1971-1975) and Highland (1975-1978). His accolades included being selected Coach of the Year, district or region multiple times during the years 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, and 1976. As well as being recognized by the Arkansas High School Coaches Association in 1969 as an assistant coach and 1971 as a head coach. He also served as a member of the Northeast Arkansas Invitational Basketball Committee and officiated High School basketball for seven years at the local, regional, and state levels.
He is an ever-present member of the community, giving his time to numerous organizations that served to better the lives of those around him. Serving as a member of Highland High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Highland School Board, Ozarka College Board of Trustees, Northeast Arkansas Cardiology Board of Directors, Arkansas Affiliate of American Heart Association State Board, President of Sharp County American Heart Association Affliate, White River Regional Hospital Advisory Board, Fulton County Hospital Board, Worthen Bank of Batesville Board, and was an original board member of First Community Bank in Batesville, AR. He served as a member of the Arkansas College (now Lyon College) Board of Trustees and established the Coach R.C. Winningham endowed Scholarship at Lyon College. For this and his achievement as a Scot he was made a member of the Lyon College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984.
Jim went on to a successful career as an insurance agent for 30 years and raised a family with his wife Jan of 52 years. He is the father of two daughters Lee-Ellen and Whitney and grandfather to Jack, Maree-Claire, Abby, and Parker.
