TicketsHuggins Talks From The Heart
Coach vows to be ready for the Bearcats' opener.
Contact: Tom Hathaway
10/12/2002
Bob Huggins greets Eugene Land at ceremonies before the team's first practice. |
Cincinnati, Ohio - Bob Huggins may be entering only his third week of recovery from his heart attack, but the message he gave to fans and media was a strong one straight from the ticker.
"I want to thank everybody for all of the concern and everything they've sent...the cards, letters, e-mails, fruit, more fruit, flowers. The response was truly unbelievable," Huggins told about 3,200 fans attending a program prior to the University of Cincinnati's first basketball practice on Saturday morning.
"I feel really good. I feel a little tired every now and then. I'm doing okay. I'm looking forward to November when we throw it up and start playing," the coach promised.
Huggins, 49, suffered a heart attack while traveling in Pittsburgh on Sept. 28, exactly two weeks from Saturday's opening of practice. It was his first public appearance since the attack.
"I fully intended on being here today from the time it (the heart attack) happened," Huggins later told the media.
Huggins paid tribute to the cardiology staff of the Beaver Medical Center. "The people over there were great. They couldn't have been more accommodating. From what Dr. (Dean) Kereiakes said, they did a great job. I guess I was very fortunate to end up in Beaver."
Huggins stated that while the assistant coaches may play a larger role in the earlier practices, there will not be as great a departure from the norm as people might expect.
"I've always let my assistants do a lot (of the coaching) anyway. I'm not one of those guys who chases (the team) up and down the floor for three hours. I think it's important that those guys are able to coach and I let them coach. I'm going to do what I've always done. I'm just not going to be in the office as much. I'll probably have to spend a little less time traveling. But as far as being on the floor, I'm going to do what I've always done."
There will be little change in his approach to coaching, particularly his courtside demeanor in games, Huggins promised.
"I have very intelligent doctors. They know that I'm not going to (change). Their goal is to get me back as close to normal as I can be. I think I'm going to have to make some changes, but I'm getting close to 50 and I'm going to have to make those anyway.
"Dr. Kereiakes is great. He's very practical. It would have been a whole lot more strain on me sitting at home and wondering what's going on than being here. I think people realize that I do have some sort of intelligence level and know when enough is enough and when to back it down.
"I feel good. I've been exercising a little bit. I lost a little bit of weight. Not much of my strength is back. I've got to wait a couple of weeks or so to do the (more strenuous) rehab stuff--they've got to monitor the heart before I can lift or anything--before I can start to lift or do anything to try to get some strength back."
Huggins addressed the issue of his recovery.
"I've already started therapy. I've got some tests coming up in the next couple of weeks that will pretty much tell me where I am. In a couple of weeks, they should have a good idea of where I am and what I need to do."
To the question of whether he would be ready for the Bearcats' Nov. 23 season opener: "I don't know why I wouldn't be."
Practice Notes
The Bearcats went through a three-hour workout following Saturday's program and will practice on Sunday evening.
Only 14 players from the 15-man roster were present for the ceremonies and first practice. Huggins vowed that missing senior B.J. Grove had to trim his weight to 270 pounds to be allowed to join the team in practice.
Jimmy Hubbard, a reserve junior forward who missed the last third of last season due to a back problem, will not play this season as the ailment continues. Hubbard, who completed his bachelors degree this summer, is pursuing a master's in business and will serve as a staff aide.