(From the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association)

The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association ( OHSBCA) is proud to announce that Jim Rucki of Findlay High School is the recipient of the 2026 Paul Walker Award.

The Paul Walker Award is presented annually by the OHSBCA to an active coaching member of the association who has made significant contributions to high school basketball.

The award is named in honor of the late Paul Walker, the longtime coach of Middletown High School. At the time of his retirement, he had the most wins as a boys basketball coach in Ohio High School Basketball history.

Jim Rucki retired with an impressive career record of 545 wins and 258 losses over 35 seasons as a varsity head coach in Ohio, leading programs at both Rocky River and Findlay High Schools. At Rocky River, he posted a 160-71 record, winning 2 league titles, 8 sectional championships, and 2 district titles, while earning NE Ohio District Coach of the Year honors three times and the AP Division II State Coach of the Year award in 1998.

Over 25 seasons at Findlay, Rucki compiled a 385-187 record with 8 league titles, 15 sectional championships, and 2 district crowns, earning multiple NW Ohio District and District 8 Coach of the Year honors, along with the OHSBCA Coach of the Year award in 2024. ]

A respected leader and teacher of the game, Rucki’s lasting impact has been recognized through induction into the Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Hancock County Sports Hall of Fame. Jim will also be inducted into the OHSBCA Hall of Fame this April.