Hulsman, James.

James R. Hulsman was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 23, 1930. He came to New Mexico in 1940 and attended Albuquerque Public Schools. He lettered in football and graduated from Albuquerque High in 1949. Hulsman attended the College of St. Joseph, where he played one year of basketball after returning from military duty. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from the University of New Mexico in 1959. Hulsman then began coaching baseball, basketball, and football at Highland High School (1957/58 and 1958/59). He coached at Washington Jr. High in 1959, then at Harrison Jr. High in 1960. Starting in 1961, Hulsman coached cross country, football, basketball, and track at Albuquerque High School. He coached at Albuquerque High School for forty one years, the longest tenure of any coach in Albuquerque. Hulsman holds the record for the most wins in Albuquerque after thirty-four seasons as head coach. He took his team to twenty-four New Mexico State tournaments and won seven State titles. He served as Director of Athletics for twenty- two years and was on the basketball staff for seven years as an assistant before becoming head coach for thirty four years. Additionally, Hulsman was head coach for track for eight years and assistant coach in football for ten years. On October 8, 2003, Hulsman retired with a 660-223 record at Albuquerque High School. Hulsman has received numerous awards at the state and national level. In 2002 he was named National Coach of the Year by both the National Federation Coaches Association and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He was inducted into the National Hall of Fame by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association in 1999 and in 2003, he was inducted in the National Federation Hall of Fame. He was also the Head Coach of the West Team in the annual McDonald's All American East-West All Star game in 1988. Hulsman is the 2003 recipient of the University of New Mexico Alumni Association's Rodey Award, which is given to someone who has devoted an unusual amount of time in a leadership capacity and has contributed significantly to the field of education.