Livingstone College Athletics

James Stinson is entering his 32nd season on the sidelines, 13 years at his Alma Mater Barber-Scotia College and 18 years at Livingstone College. A native of Charlotte NC Stinson's success in basketball began at Barber-Scotia College where he received his first coaching position in 1991. In his first year he was named Coach of the Year in the EIAC. Stinson organized campus programs, spoke at various churches, and gave free basketball clinics. He spent four years as an NAIA Division 1 basketball rater. While at his beloved Scotia, Stinson led the Sabers to eight 20-win seasons, four regular season championships, three EIAC tournament championships and two NAIA Elite Eight appearances. Stinson was voted Coach of the Year three times and was a three-time EIAC Top tournament Coach. Stinson ended his career with a record of 272-158 63% winning percentage. In 2004 Stinson was named Head Coach at Livingstone College. He guided LC to a 17-12 record. The 17 victories set a record for the most wins in a single season by a men's basketball team at LC. In his first season, the Blue Bears advanced past the first round of the CIAA tournament for the first time in almost 10 years. Stinson continued to make strides to having Livingstone be a formidable opponent in the CIAA with advancement in the CIAA tournament and placing several players on the All- Conference team.

In 2010-11 season, the men's team broke another barrier by winning the CIAA Highest GPA award and advancing to the CIAA tournament Championship game for the first time in school history. Stinson was named CIAA Coach of the Year, and to top it off former Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz proclaimed March 9th, 2011 Livingstone College Men's Basketball Day. One of Stinson's most successful seasons with the Blue Bears came in 2012-2013 where his team made continuous marks in Livingstone's school history. LC won their first CIAA Southern Division Championship, topped Livingstone's most wins in a single season record with a 22-7 overall record, reached the Championship game at the CIAA tournament, and made their first NCAA tournament appearance. Stinson garnered CIAA Coach of the Year honors and was also named The Clarence "Big House" Gaines Coach of the Year for Division 2.

In 2013-14 Stinson continued to make first for Livingstone College Men's basketball. The Blue Bears were Back-to-Back Southern Division Champions, highest GPA award in the CIAA, first time ranked in the top 20 in the nation (13th), first player to be named CIAA Player of the Year, and the first in men's basketball history to win the 2014 CIAA tournament. Stinson was named Co-Coach of the Year by BOXTOROW, received the Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Humanitarian award. Mark Thomas a basketball standout made history by becoming the first student-athlete from an HBCU to receive the NCAA Today's Top 10 award in the awards 42-year history.

In 2014-15 Livingstone men's basketball made it 3 years in a row as they were co-champions of the Southern Division, qualified for the NCAA D-2 National tournament and won the Back-to-Back 2015 CIAA tournament Champions. Stinson’s overall record to date is 528-410 with a 56% win percentage. Coach Stinson is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, the National Basketball Coaches Association, and the CIAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association. Coach Stinson lives by the motto " To God be the Glory ".