On Thursday, Feb. 26, former UC basketball coach Bob Huggins returned to Fifth Third Arena for the first time as an opponent (he now is the head coach at his alma mater West Virginia).
Huggins, the all-time winningest coach in UC history, was honored before the game with a 45-second tribute video. Signs were also handed out to fans that read 'Thanks Huggs' on one side and 'Go Bearcats' on the other.
The video showed highlights of Huggins from the sidelines yelling at his players and referees. It also showed the large number of players he coached through the years.
There were many senior night moments where Huggins was hugging farewell to his players.
This got to Huggins as he was seen on the West Virgina bench shedding tears.
Upon the completion of the video, Huggins was given a standing ovation and he waved to the crowed in gratitude.
What I want to know is if this moment gave fans closure to the Huggins saga that took place upon his dismissal in 2005.
I went to Bearcatnews.com forum to find out. Bearcatnews.com is a website dedicated to UC basketball and football. The forum members range from prospective UC students to UC alumni. There are also non-UC alumni/students. Men and women of all ages are welcome to join the forum.
Some fans were unsatisfied with the ceremony and felt UC should have done more.
"A class act by UC to do it. Having said that, I think it should have been done bigger...way bigger.
"A 16 year career, the most ever wins by a UC coach, countless titles and championships, and 14 NCAA tourney appearances could have been one heck of a 5 minute video - a video for the ages for UC fans. I think they should have had the former players join Bob at mid-court for a presentation of a plaque with his season records, accomplishments, etc. and a big THANK YOU engraved at the bottom. That would have been even more special. Allowing Bob to take the mic and say thank you would have been really unbelievable." -Bearcat-in-Italy
Other fans thought this ceremony symbolized the end of an era and finally have closure to all of the controvery surrounding Huggins' departure.
"UC's tribute to Coach Huggins tonight was well done and well received. Coupled with the eminent departure of Nancy Zimpher, UC now has closure on the Huggins' era at UC." -jkwuc89
"Thanks Coach Huggins. What an awesome ceremony last night. For anyone who thought Bob didnt care last night hopefully changed your minds. That place went nuts and deservingly so. Great to see that legends from the past like Reuben, Logan, Levett, all were there. Amazing game to be at." -TheLivingLegend
Fans who weren't at the game, but watched it on TV, wished the ceremony coverage was better.
"I like a lot of what ESPN did, but wow they blew it when they took the camera off of Bob way TOO early. Does anybody else agree? He was getting a big ovation, crying, displaying great human emotion that you can't control and, all of a sudden, (Bret) Musburger and (Bob) Knight are on the screen and you can still hear screams and cheers outside of the picture. I guess I was pretty upset even though I think, for the most part, they did a good job." -Forsure21
After reviewing the forum, there was a wide range of reactions. Some people finally felt closure, others were left wanting more, while others simply didn't care and were tired of hearing about Huggins.
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