Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Basketball Corridor of Famer Robert Hughes, the winningest highschool boys hoops coach ever, died Tuesday on the age of 96.
“The Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame is saddened by the lack of legendary highschool basketball coach Robert Hughes. Coach Hughes’ document of success at Fort Price Dunbar is unparalleled, and he opened doorways for Black athletes throughout Texas. His contributions to basketball will stay on within the lives of the younger males he coached and on the Naismith Corridor of Fame.”
Hughes received a complete of 1,333 video games for 2 colleges in Fort Price, Texas: I.M. Terrell Excessive College (1958-1973) and Paul Laurence Dunbar Excessive College (1973-2005). His groups earned 5 state championships and 35 district titles. As well as, Hughes received the 2003 Nationwide Excessive College Coach of the 12 months award as properly.
Hughes clearly confronted many challenges on and off the courtroom within the period of segregation, as the Hall famous.
“From 1958-1973, Hughes was the top coach of I.M. Terrell Excessive College, an all-black faculty in Fort Price, Texas the place he refused to let society dictate the way forward for his gamers, typically inserting in any other case forgotten younger males in junior faculties within the period of segregation within the South.”
On the courtroom, Hughes’ groups ran their opponents ragged, resulting in many victories.
“I am going to admit that we have been a bullet going up and down the courtroom,” Hughes mentioned when he was inducted into the Corridor (h/t Conor Ryan of MassLive).
“We have been runners. That is what we excelled at. And one of many issues we actually careworn was that we might by no means, ever let anybody outrun us, interval. We had superintendents going bonkers, we had different groups calling us unhealthy names as a result of we ran a lot. It was simply our lifestyle.”
After information of his passing, many individuals expressed their heartfelt condolences to a person many take into account an incredible pioneer and chief.
Myah Taylor @t_myah
“He was the kind of man that as a younger coach, you simply sat and watched and virtually tried to emulate since you knew he was the epitome of success.”
“He did a lot for his neighborhood in Fort Price, however actually for your complete state.”
Coaches share phrases on Robert Hughes’ impression. https://t.co/ceSiExwoAA
Clarence Hill Jr @clarencehilljr
It’s with a particularly heavy coronary heart that I inform you that Legendary highschool basketball coach Robert Hughes has handed away on the age of 96. A Naismith Corridor of Famer, all time winningest boys coach in highschool basketball historical past,
Fort Price Dunbar icon and pioneer. The… pic.twitter.com/P1jDiEJrBt
TR Sullivan @Sullivan_Ranger
I coated Robert Hughes whereas on the Star-Telegram. A real legend. Bigger than life. He received with expertise, knowledge and with the sheer pressure of his dominating persona.
He holds information that will probably be powerful to beat. However his legacy is unmatched regardless pic.twitter.com/qruQ5mFobC
Dionne Anglin @DAnglinFox4
“By no means let anybody outwork you.” Legendary Coach Robert Hughes shared w/ me recommendation he at all times stood by. I admired him as a lady rising up in Cease Six— & many years later was lucky sufficient to interview him as a journalist. A couple of private pics he shared with me. RIPCoachHughes pic.twitter.com/sKGDM4kcvm
SportsDayHS @SportsDayHS
“If you cannot work laborious and put out the perfect,” he’d inform his gamers, “you most likely have to go dwelling to your mama.”@KSherringtonDMN on legendary Fort Price basketball coach Robert Hughes’ passing: https://t.co/Bh2k62ektJ pic.twitter.com/7BTZa1HPX1
robert evans @roberte38177251
We misplaced a trailblazer at the moment in Coach Robert Hughes. He was a good friend and mentor to so many people. Prayers exit to his household pic.twitter.com/aHSFMezGuj
Coach Chris Grotemat @CoachGrotemat
So unhappy to listen to concerning the passing of legendary TX HS basketball coach, Robert Hughes.
His groups at Dunbar have been extraordinary.
Arguably essentially the most completed coach in boys bball historical past, what he achieved off the courtroom as a pioneer, activist, and mentor won’t ever be replicated.
Snoop Johnson BBall Report @SJBasketball14
Mentioned morning within the DFW highschool basketball household. We’re mourning the lack of The STANDARD, former FW Dunbar basketball coach and Naismith Corridor of Famer Robert Hughes Sr. Prayers and condolences exit to the Hughes household and the FW Dunbar household.#ITrustMyEyes pic.twitter.com/JbR80HickT
Hughes also played for Texas Southern from 1951-1954, posting greater than 20 factors per recreation throughout his senior season and turning into a three-time all-conference participant.
After his collegiate profession, he performed for the Harlem Magicians. In 1955, the Boston Celtics used a supplemental draft decide on Hughes.
Hughes in the end made an incredible impression as a highschool basketball coach, beginning his profession two years later. The remaining is historical past, and Hughes leaves an incredible legacy that will not quickly be forgotten.
