Henderson State University Athletics

Jim Atwell, a dual-sport athlete for the Reddies from 1956 to 1958, was a three-time All-AIC selection in basketball and a two-time letterwinner on the Henderson baseball team under legendary coach Duke Wells. A member of the Reddies’ 1958 AIC Championship basketball team, Atwell went straight into high school coaching after graduation, where he spent the next 21 years of his life. Atwell coached four seasons at Sparkman, where he won the 1962 Class B state title, before going to El Dorado, where he spent the next 17 years. In nearly two decades at El Dorado, Atwell won the 1976 4A state title, was named Arkansas Basketball High School Coach of the Year that same season and coached two All-Americans. In 21 seasons of coaching, Atwell compiled a record of 365-274. He retired from coaching in 1980 and from the public school system in 1990.