Jim Little was born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan. As a young boy he discovered a life-long love of hockey while playing pick-up hockey on the outdoor rink at Palmer Park and listening to radio broadcasts of “Hockey Night in Canada” on Saturday nights.
As an adult, Jim – whose “day job” was as the Director of the St. Clair County Road Commission, the St. Clair County Airport Commission, and the Department of Public Works – turned his childhood passion for hockey into something even greater: a calling to coach and mentor young athletes.
Jim formed a very successful 23-year coaching partnership as well as a lifelong friendship with Ron McKinch. A third coach, Mike Donahue, later joined them in coaching and in friendship. Together these three musketeers successfully coached several travel hockey teams in the Port Huron Minor Hockey Association and, later, in the Western Ontario Hockey League.
Over his years as head coach Jim led his teams to four International Silver Stick Championships, a national runner-up title, and numerous state, regional, league, and tournament championship titles.
But for Jim, the real reward was never the trophies. What mattered most were the lessons his players learned along the way—teamwork, integrity, leadership, and spirit.
When Jim passed away unexpectedly, his wife Nancy found comfort in honoring his memory through the creation of the James L. “Jim” Little Fund, an endowed fund that will carry forward the values and spirit that defined Jim’s life.
We are proud to honor Jim’s life and legacy through this Fund, which supports youth sports organizations, projects, and programs that help youth athletes grow, both on and off the field.