James V. Bates - Football, Basketball & Track Coach
(1933-____)

Year Inducted: 1990

James Bates influenced thousands of young people as a teacher, coach and role model while working over 20 years in the Port Huron Area School District. He made his mark on area sports as a coach in football, basketball and track. Bates coached football at Port Huron High School for five years. He was instrumental in leading the Big Reds to the Eastern Michigan League Championship in 1964. Later, he moved to Port Huron Northern High School where he was head coach of the football team for 18 seasons. Under his guidance, the Huskies won championships in 1970, 1975 and 1976. As an assistant, he contributed also to the Husky Football Championships on 1986 and 1988.


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