James “Satch” Sullinger

James “Satch” Sullinger is a retired educator and high school basketball coach from Columbus City Schools. He received several Ohio Coach of the Year Awards and was named Naismith National High School Coach of Year in 2010.

Sullinger’s award-winning coaching career was preceded by making history as the first African-American to become a full-time administrator with any of the 33 Olympic Sports, working with ABAUSA, known today as USA Basketball. He presently works with the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department as a Community Liaison.

Sullinger has also received the Corcoran Award in May of 2014, was given both the Health Hero Award from National African American Male Wellness Walk Foundation Who's Who Among Black in Columbus "Living Legend" in 2015. Putting people together with purpose is his strength and Sullinger authored the book “Winning with Purpose," which released in November 2013. Sullinger received his B.S. from Oberlin College in 1978 and M.S. from Grambling State University in 1981. He is married with three sons and five grandchildren.