Southern Arkansas University Athletics

The late James Armstrong was a four-year letterman for the Mulerider basketball team from 1969-70 to 1972-73. During that time, Armstrong helped lead the Muleriders to an impressive 80-27 (.748) overall record under legendary head coach W.T. Watson.
 
As a sophomore in 1970-71, Armstrong and the Muleriders captured the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) Championship after a 17-3 mark in league play. The Muleriders would go on to finish that year 23-5 as they also captured the NAIA District 17 Tournament Championship as well and earned a berth into the NAIA National Tournament.
 
Armstrong’s final two seasons at SAU (then Southern State College) were his best as he averaged a double-double each year. An All-AIC Honorable Mention selection as a junior, Armstrong would reel in accolades as a senior in 1972-73 as he led the team in scoring, averaging 16.4 points per game. His performance as a senior earned Armstrong All-AIC honors as well as NAIA All-America Honorable Mention recognition.
 
For his career, Armstrong totaled 865 points and is currently 36^th on the SAU all-time scoring list.
 
After his playing days, Armstrong became a coach at the high school and collegiate levels in the state of Arkansas. In addition to his coaching, Armstrong also became a basketball official and he would work games at seemingly every level from middle school to NCAA Division I.
 
A well-respected basketball official, Armstrong was inducted into the Arkansas Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2004.