On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Blue Bears of Livingstone College faced the Sharks of Nova Southeastern in the opening game of the 2013 Cruzin Classic. In what appeared at the time to be just another game on the Blue Bears’ schedule this year, something remarkable happened.

The Blue Bears went on to defeat the Sharks 82-65 to remain undefeated at 6-0. In the process, head coach James Stinson – in his ninth season at Livingstone –recorded his 400 th career victory.

Anyone who knows Stinson understands he would be the first to tell you that it was just another win and the players could have played a lot better. He would also say that he owes it all to the players, without whom not even one win would have been possible.

But that’s just Stinson.

Stinson became a head coach during the 1990-91 season on an interim basis at his alma mater, Barber-Scotia College. Stinson spent 13 seasons as the head man at Barber-Scotia, manning the sidelines from 1991-2004.

Barber-Scotia competed in the NAIA and found great success with Stinson at the helm. During that time, he saw eight 20-win seasons, with a 27-win season being his best during his tenure.

He was named EIAC Coach of the Year, qualified for NAIA National Tournament twice, and he had several players on the All-EIAC Team, as well as the All-Academic Team. He won regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NAIA Elite 8 twice during his time at Barber-Scotia.

Stinson compiled a 272-135 mark at Barber-Scotia.

In the spring of 2004, the Blue Bears wanted to make a change and then-athletic director Clifton Huff brought in Stinson to take over as head men’s basketball coach.

"Congrats to Coach Stinson on getting his 400 th career win. It could not have happened to a better person," Huff said. "When we brought Stinson in, I always knew that he was a great coach and he just needed time."

Time has proven key for Stinson and the Blue Bears who have played in the CIAA championship game in each of the last two seasons. He has also won the most games in a season for the Blue Bears with 22 wins in 2012-13.

Livingstone was also ranked in the NCAA Division II for the first time ever at No. 13 in the nation.

Stinson is a born winner, and has shown that on and off the court and throughout his life. He has done things with the Blue Bears that others only dreamed of and some could never imagine.

Stinson and the Blue Bears will face a tough test on Wednesday, as they face off against the defending NCAA Division II National Champion, and third-ranked, Drury University Panthers at 4 p.m. Although the Blue Bears netter Stinson his 400 th career win on Tuesday, a win over Drury could mean even more Stinson and Livingstone College.

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