Jim Boutin (born September 18, 1942) went from the small Coos County town of Powers to an outstanding college basketball career at Lewis & Clark College where he was a four-year starter (1961-64) and earned All-American honors. Boutin led the Pioneers to three consecutive Northwest Conference basketball titles (1962-1964) and three consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.
As a college senior, he was 1st Team NAIA All-American, averaging 30.2 points and 14.8 rebounds per game and finished seventh in the nation in scoring. He also was 1st Team All-America as a junior and 3rd Team All-America as a sophomore.
Boutin is Lewis & Clark’s single season and career scoring leader (2,218 points; 20.1 average) and is second in career rebounds (1,298; 13.2 average). Boutin was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1965.
Jim was also a member of three football and track & field squads that NWC championship. He set a conference record with a 219-foot javelin throw.
Boutin went on to an outstanding basketball coaching career. His 35-year coaching tenure included Portland’s Washington High School (39-12), Willamette University (194-130), Western Oregon (143-43), Idaho State (60-80), Lane Community College (240-103) and Dallas High School (14-11). His college coaching wins total of 637 only trails Ralph Miller and Dan Miles for coaches in the state.
Boutin’s 1975 Willamette team finished 24-5 and advanced to the NAIA tourney in Kansas City. Jim was named Northwest Small College Coach of the Year. His Western Oregon teams made two trips to the NAIA tournament. The 1982 team had the best record in school history (30-2). At Idaho State, his 1987 team beat the Ducks at Mac Court and won the Big Sky Conference title and a trip to the NCAA tournament. The 1992 Lane Titans won the NWACC championship. Three of Boutin’s other LCC squads finished 2nd and he was named Coach of the Year four times in the Southern Region.
He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1990 and is also a member of the Lewis & Clark and Western Oregon Halls of Fame.