Jim Lien, Longtime W-H-A Girls’ Basketball Coach, Passes Away

Former Walker-Hackensack-Akeley girls’ basketball head coach Jim Lien passed away Saturday morning after a four-year battle with lung cancer.

The legendary coach began his career nearly 50 years ago at Nevis before going to Akeley and eventually W-H-A, where he coached volleyball, basketball, and baseball.

In 2021, Lien was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, but he continued to coach and in 2024 helped the Lady Wolves to their first state tournament in program history. In 2025, the hall of famer saw them make it back-to-back appearances.

During that run to state, players and coaches shared with Lakeland News what Coach Lien meant to them and the program.

“He’s obviously the best,” said Aubrey Morrison, who was the point guard for both section title teams. “He’s such a great coach, great person.”

“I remember when I was in fourth grade, he told me I was going to be his next point guard when he was a sub,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Oh, my God, yes!’ You know? So it’s just been really special to be alongside him and have him coach me and us throughout the years. So it’s really special to go to state again with him.”

“He brings such a great joy to these girls every day that he shows up,” said Pat Richter, who had been co-head coach with Lien for the past 10 years. “They smile every time that he comes into the gym. We all smile, and he does bring something that’s so positive for the team each and every day that we look forward to seeing him there.”

“Just him being here every day, and like, we just know that this is what he lives for and we live for, and sharing that passion with him,” said Adyson Kurtz, who also went to the state tournament twice under Coach Lien.

Jim Lien leaves behind his wife, two children, and three grandchildren, as well as the hundreds of athletes and coaches he touched along the way in more than 1,000 games he coached and his 700-plus wins.