Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Dedicates Basketball Court to Girls’ Coach Jim Lien

The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District honored girls’ basketball head coach Jim Lien Thursday night by naming the varsity floor at the WHA gymnasium after the hall of fame coach.

Former players, coaches, and community members packed the gym for the dedication ceremony, where they unveiled the new logo that will adorn the hardwood beginning next season.

Lien began his coaching career nearly 50 years ago at Nevis and then went to Akeley to become the boys basketball coach, before moving to WHA where he coached volleyball, basketball, and baseball. Last season he helped lead the Lady Wolves to their first ever state tournament appearance.

After the ceremony, the legendary coach spoke about how touched he was by it all.

“It means a lot to me,” said coach Lien. “I can still remember the first practice I had here back, I don’t know, in the ’80s with Missy Storm and Heather Rehnquist and Jenny Paling. That was the first practice I ever had. The kids were really responsive and they’ve been that way for 38 years.”

“I look back at some of the pictures that we had, I don’t think you had a negative one in the whole bunch,” he continued. “I’ve touched a lot lives, and they came back here tonight to support me.”

As a head coach, Lien has amassed over 800 wins between boys’ and girls’ basketball. The motion to name the court after Coach Lien was passed unanimously by the school board.

Prior to the dedication ceremony, there was a basketball game between Walker-Hackensack-Akeley and Lake of the Woods. One emotional moment came beforehand when Jim Lien’s son made a surprise officiating appearance.

The Wolves did not let the special night get spoiled, as they won big over the Bears 72-31. WHA improves to 21-4 on the season while LOTW drops to 5-18.