Hall of Fame
James Rackley came to Ozarks after a short stint with the New York Giants as an infielder in 1947 and a four year tour in the South Pacific with the United States Navy from 1942-1946. In 1949 after he reclaimed amateur status, Rackley played basketball and baseball for C of O and received All-AIC honors in baseball. In 1950 Rackley graduated from C of O and joined the National Guard where he served at Camp Stoneman until 1952. From 1952 to 1954 Rackley coached all sports at Palestine High School in Palestine, Arkansas and in 1955 coached just one year at Coal Hill High School. From 1956 to 1985, Rackley was the Head Basketball Coach at Mena High School in Mena, Arkansas. During his impressive career at Mena, he posted a 433-249 record while coaching 11 teams that participated in the State Tournament. Rackley was a Coach of the Year 12 times and had six district championships and six district championship runner-ups during his tenure. In 1959 and 1969 Rackley was awarded the Arkansas High School All-Star Coach position and in 1979 he was awarded the Fort Smith Times Record Coach of the Year. In 1984, a year before his retirement, Rackley was honored as a Polk County Citizen of the Year and in 1987 the Mena High School gym was renamed “Jim Rackley Gymnasium.”
