NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

Gymnasium, basketball court named for Coach Huckaby

The career of Coach Jim Huckaby, a longtime mentor, Athletics Director, and advocate for Baptist Bible College, was recognized January 15 with the dedication of the gymnasium and basketball court in his honor.

Nearly 800 people attended the dedication during halftime of the Defenders men's game against nearby Keystone College. The basketball court and gymnasium will share a familiar name -- Coach Huckaby Court and the Huckaby Gymnasium.

"Jim Huckaby is a dedicated servant who has worked tirelessly to promote BBC," said BBC&S President Jim Jeffery. "He has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of teenagers who attended Teen Leadership Conference or a camp and later became our students and our athletes. He always does his best to achieve great things for his God and for others. Naming this athletic facility in Jim's honor is a highlight of my ministry at BBC."

A special night
Dean of Students Matt Pollock introduced Coach Huckaby at halftime to wonderful applause and thanked him for his hard work, dedication, and the influence he has had at BBC.

Coach was joined by his wife, Marie. In his remarks, he praised his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his salvation and "grabbing a hold of his life." He noted God is the reason for his service. He described his acceptance of Christ while he was in the Navy and recounted the influence and change it produced.

Coach closed by thanking all those he has worked with over the years and continues to work with. He also commended the students for their continued support of the school and their competitive enthusiasm at athletic contests.

"It is an awesome honor and privilege to have an institution that you love with all your heart honor your name in a particular way," he said.

"I hope people understand that none of us live on an island, so many staff, players and administrators that have given so much also deserve to receive this; I accept it for them."

Topping off a great evening, the Defenders closed with an 8-0 run in the last 2:42 to to take a Colonial States Athletic Conference win 76-72 over Keystone College.

A life of service
Coach was instrumental in many areas at BBC. Along with his strong involvement in the National Christian College Athletic Association, he led the way in the formation of Defender summer sports camps at Baptist Bible, bringing Defender Athletics into the NCAA Division III, and in the organization of the North Eastern Athletic Conference, where BBC formerly competed.

As coach, his teams won 19 conference championships over a 23 year period and finished in the finals of the NCCAA Division II 10 consecutive seasons. They finished NCCAA II national champions in 1979 and national runner-up in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1993.

He was named NCCAA Division II National Coach of the Year twice in 1976 and 1979 and in 1991 he was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame.

Huckaby retired in 2008 after 38 years at BBC. He has since returned to service in the Admissions Department.

The plan to dedicate the facility began in 2008 when Coach Huckaby's transition to retirement became known. During the recent winter break, the lettering on the court and gymnasium entrance was completed.

The Defenders compete in men's and women's cross country, basketball, soccer, and tennis. They also field teams in baseball, golf, softball and women's volleyball.

Click here for more information on BBC Defender Athletics.

Baptist Bible College & Seminary offers 38 academic programs, from a one-year Bible Certificate to PhDs. Programs are available on the Clarks Summit campus, online, and through several distance learning options. To learn more, go to www.bbc.edu or call 570.586.2400.




Posted on: 1/16/2009 8:40:36 AM

Tweet