Jim Gainey Inducted into Emmanuel Hall of Fame

Former Emmanuel Men’s Basketball Coach, Jim Ganey (class of ’61), was inducted into the Emmanuel Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 20.

Ganey attended Emmanuel from 1959-61, serving as captain or co-captain of the men’s intercollegiate basketball team for both years he played under Coach Bill White. He completed his bachelor’s degree at East Carolina University and earned his master’s degree from the University of Georgia.

Coach Ganey returned to Emmanuel where he served as head coach of the Lions from 1972-1977 and again from 1985 to 1991. He had great success during his tenure at Emmanuel, leading the Lions to GJCAA Championships in 1975 and 1991. The Lions were named Regional Champions in 1989 and 1990, and Ganey was named Region 17 Coach of the Year both years.

In addition to his success on the hardwood, Coach Ganey also served as Emmanuel’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations for many years. He was instrumental in raising millions of dollars for the college including $600,000 to build the Shaw-Leslie Resource Center and Library and over $900,000 in the annual phon-a-thon that he started and which continues to this day. Coach Ganey retired from EC in 2006 after 36 years of service to the college.