James "Jim" Joseph Sackett

James (Jim) Sackett was born on November 3, 1935, in Rochester, Minnesota to Layton and Catherine (Palmby) Sackett. Throughout his life he enjoyed all types of sports. In high school he participated in basketball, football, in addition to theatre. At Mankato State he participated in Track & Field and other campus activities.

He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1953, served in the U.S. Army (1954-1957). Obtained a Bachelor of Art degree in History and Physical Education from Mankato State University (1960); A Master of Science degree in Education from Washington State University (1962).

His career in coaching and teaching spanned four decades, 1960 to 2007. Throughout his career he strived to make an impact on the lives of his students and student athletes. His career started at Leroy Ostrander High School in Leroy, Minn. (1960); to Davis High School in Davis CA. (1962-1964); then Sacramento City College in Sacramento CA. (1964-1969); to Western Illinois University in Macomb ILL. (1969-1980); and ending at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (1980-2007). He benefited students from these institutions by his coaching, life lessons and teaching.

Jim’s commitments to the student athletes and to the sport of Cross Country and Track & Field has been acknowledged with his Hall of Fame inductions to the US Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association, Cal Poly Pomona, Western Illinois University, and Drake Relays Hall of Fames. His honors and awards include two-time US Track Coaches’ Association National Coach of the year; four-time US Track Coaches’ Association West Regional Coach of the year; Four CCAA Coach of the Year; NCAA Cross County Coaches’ Association Distinguished Service Award; and two x NCAA Track & Field Coaches’ Association Distinguished Service Award.

Jim is survived by his daughter Alysia Sackett in Peoria Az., son Sean Sackett, daughter-in-law Patty Sackett, and grandson Nathaniel Sackett of Placentia CA., Sister Kathleen (Ben) Ellsworth of Rochester Minn., brother Kenneth (Marilyn) Sackett of Arlington Heights, IL, and nieces and nephews, friends, and athletes.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, son Derek, brother Keith Sackett, and parents.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations honoring the memory If you would like to honor the memory of Coach Sackett with a gift to the Track & Field program, donations to the James & Phyllis Sackett Scholarship Endowment can be made https://cpp.thankyou4caring.org/donation-form2?fid=AiSw4o3UzDQ%3d&fdesc=mtDV8NSx%2bHLNGt1Fcbqr3SpgpjqmAzTvXLjlU44ap35zKBJ4eiSJ1A%3d%3d ">HERE For questions, please contact Lauren Goins at

[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[email protected]">[email protected] or (909) 869-2863.

A visitation for James will be held Friday, March 18, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Dimond & Shannon Mortuary, 10630 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, California 92840. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM. A graveside service will occur Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 12:00 PM, 701 E Bastanchury Rd, Fullerton, CA 92835.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dimondshannonmortuary.com for the Sackett family.