Ashland University Hosts Legendary Coach Bob Huggins for Exclusive Fundraiser

Ashland University is set to host a special event featuring legendary basketball coach Bob Huggins, who will be the guest of honor at a fundraiser for the university's men's basketball program. The event, organized by the 212 Club, promises an evening filled with exclusive access, interactive discussions, and a rare opportunity for attendees to connect with the Hall of Fame inductee.

Unlocking the Secrets of Ohio Basketball Royalty

Honoring a Coaching Icon

The Ashland University men's basketball program and the 212 Club are hosting a must-attend event on Wednesday, October 23rd, titled "A Night with Bob Huggins." The evening will feature the 2022 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee as the guest of honor, kicking off with a VIP cocktail hour followed by an interactive speech, silent raffles, tip boards, a dinner, and a meet-and-greet with AU student-athletes and coaches.Ashland University coach John Ellenwood is excited to make this event the first in a series aimed at raising funds for the basketball program's bright future. "We are going to try to get a different speaker every year," Ellenwood said. "Right now, it is just basketball, but we may even try to branch out to other areas. We want people the locals want to hear from and who will provide an interesting TED-type talk. Bob Huggins is the best one to start us off."

A Legendary Career Spanning Decades

Huggins' coaching career is nothing short of legendary, with over 900 victories to his name, making him just the sixth men's college basketball coach to reach this impressive milestone. His coaching journey has taken him through various stops, including Walsh, Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and West Virginia, where he has led his teams to 24 NCAA Tournaments, nine Sweet 16 appearances, four Elite Eight berths, and two Final Fours. Averaging 23 wins per season, Huggins is the second coach to win 300 games at two different schools, Cincinnati and West Virginia.

Rooted in Ohio Basketball Tradition

Huggins' basketball pedigree is deeply rooted in his home state of Ohio. He had a standout high school career, playing for his father, Charles, at Indian Valley South, where he led his team to a 26-0 record during his senior season and was named the Ohio Player of the Year in 1972. The Huggins family's influence on Ohio basketball extends beyond the court, as they built a basketball farm on their property in Carroll County, which became a hub for team camps every summer."If you talk about Ohio basketball, you have to look at the Huggins family as royalty," Ellenwood said. "Whether they want to be known that way or not. They are very humble. Eastern Ohio has shaped a lot of basketball programs. The toughness that raised Bob Huggins and his family was taught through basketball, and they gave that to anyone who wanted to go to that camp."

Sharing Insights and Perspectives

Huggins' appearance at the event will be a unique opportunity for attendees to hear directly from the coaching legend. Ellenwood is eager to hear Huggins' perspective on the changing landscape of college athletics and the sport he has dedicated his life to."Everyone wants to hear from him," Ellenwood said. "Where he is in his career, I think he has a lot to say about the change in the sport he coaches and the area of college athletics. I would love to hear from him now that he can step outside since he isn't coaching and give us a fresh perspective of the landscape of these changes. I want to hear about that, and I think a lot of people do, too, and who better to tell it than him?"Ellenwood, who will be working the event, admits he may find himself wide-eyed like a kid in a basketball factory, listening to Huggins' captivating stories and insights. "He has so many stories, and he is such a great storyteller," Ellenwood said. "What makes Bob Huggins great is that he is one of those coaches who can relate to the average basketball fan. He has never been worried about the glitz and the glory. He has always been the guy who grew up in rural Ohio. People should want to hear those stories."