Friends of Basketball

Jim Ackley

Year Inducted: 1990

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:
Mundelein High School

Biography: James L. Ackley was actively involved with Mundelein High School athletics for 25 years. Jim coached at the junior high level for 10 years.  He has also served the varsity basketball team faithfully for 27 years as the keeper of the scorebook. Ackley kept the scorebook at home and away games while missing only one game that Mundelein officials can remember. He probably deserved that night off, since it was his wedding anniversary.  Ackley was on the list of scorers for the IHSA state tournament. Ackley kept the books for both the sophomore and varsity boys’ games. His work included Thanksgiving, Christmas and IHSA tournaments. It is figured Ackley pushed the pencil for 650 varsity games and 520 sophomore games. That makes him the “all-time leading scorer in Mundelein basketball history.” Ackley  attended state tournaments beginning in 1960. He could tell you how tough a ticket it was to get inside Huff Gym. He claimed that he loved the Assembly Hall (later the State Farm Center). Despite ending up in C section,  like so many fans do, he felt it is a great place to watch high school basketball.