Providence, R.I.--As part of Black History Month, Rhode Island College Athletics is highlighting some of its greatest alumni and staff.

The late James Adams, who was inducted into RIC's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, was the first African American head coach and athletic administrator at the college.
 
Adams pent 21 years at RIC, serving as an assistant athletic director in addition to his duties as the head men's basketball coach.
 
Adams' name was synonymous with Rhode Island College men's basketball since first coming to RIC in 1979. He won 247 games in 21 seasons. The Providence Journal chose him as one of the century's Top 100 Most Influential Coaches and Athletes in Rhode Island in December of 1999.
 
Under his guidance, the Anchormen captured the ECAC Division III title in 1982-83.  Adams was selected as the Little East Conference's Co-Coach of the Year in 1987-88.