JIM COLLIN

Class of 1960
​Inducted in 2009

​Jim was inducted into the SHSAA Packer Sports Greats in 2009.

Jim lettered in football, basketball and baseball all four years at SHS, playing on two State Championship teams in football, and three City Championship and two District Championship teams in basketball.  He was a key player on the 1960 State Championship basketball team (record 21-0) which was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame on 9-27-09. 

Jim was also a member of five teams honored in past Sports Greats Hall of Fame in all three sports.  His individual honors include All-City in baseball in 1960, Honorable Mention basketball in 1959 and 1960, Honorable Mention Baseball 1959, Top five batting in baseball 1959-1960, Top fielding baseball in 1959 and 1960 as first baseman, and was nominated for Athlete of the Year in 1960. 

At Creighton University, Jim lettered two years in basketball and at UNO lettered three years in baseball --playing on Conference and Regional Championship teams.  In national tournaments the team won fourth place in 1965 and second place in 1966.  He was a starter at first base for two years. 

​After graduation he coached football at OPS Norris Jr. High for 27 years, winning six City Championships, tied three City Championships, and coached three undefeated teams. Six of his players played at Nebraska, 18 at UNO and two at Iowa State, and many in Division 2 and 3.  He also coached basketball for five years, the boys swim team for 20 years, the boys gymnastic team for seven years and track team for 15 years.  In gymnastics Jim worked with stars such as Jim Hartung All-State at SHS and All Big 8 at Nebraska and a member of the 1980 Olympic team.  Collin was inducted into the first group of the Norris Jr. High Hall of Fame on 4-24-09.