James Phipps is one of the nation's most honored and successful high school baseball coaches.
A 1942 graduate of Eastern Illinois, Phipps played minor league ball briefly after the war before embarking upon a prep coaching career at Niles (1947-61), Niles West (1961-77) and Lake Havasu City (1978-84) high schools. During his tenure in Niles school district, he won two state championships (1972 & 75) and was second twice (1958 & 1964) with six total state final appearances.
Phipps had six more state tournament appearances at Lake Havasu with his 1982 team finishing second in the state.
Phipps was the first president of the Illinois State Baseball Coaches Association and was picked the National Prep Coach of the Year by the ABCA in 1974.
Phipps was named an EIU Distinguished Alumnus in 1976 and was later a general manager and coach for the Class A Pioneer League team in Helena, Montana.
