Jim Albright was born in Newport, Arkansas on September 10, 1928. He moved to Little Rock at the age of seven when his father was appointed head of the Arkansas State Police. Jim attended Little Rock public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1947. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Arkansas Tech in 1951 and a Master’s degree from Arkansas State Teacher’s College (now UCA) in 1966.

Jim was the definition of an athlete, excelling at every sport he played throughout high school and college. After graduating from college, Jim played professional baseball with the Little Rock Travelers from 1951-1952. He then served two years in the Army Signal Corp as an instructor at Camp Gordon Signal School in Augusta, Georgia, and Director of Communications at SHAPE headquarters in Paris, France.

Upon returning home from his military service, Jim was employed by the North Little Rock School District as the football, basketball and track coach at Jefferson Davis Junior High and then promoted to head football coach of North Little Rock Senior High from 1957 to 1962. From 1963 to 1966 Jim became the first Supervisor of Health, Physical Education and Safety for the North Little Rock School District. He was appointed Education Administrative Supervisor and Specialist in Physical Education and Health for the Arkansas Department of Education in 1966.

Jim retired from the Arkansas Department of Education in 1987 after having dedicated 33 years of service to the state of Arkansas, its educational institutions and its young athletes. During his retirement he enjoyed time with his family as well as play-ing golf and working part time at the Burns Park and Fort Roots Golf Courses in North Little Rock.