By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Chick Huggins has given his alma mater quite a treat over 30 years of coaching softball including a state title. On Monday his alma mater returned the favor.
Prior to Monday’s softball game against Bucyrus, Colonel Crawford honored Huggins for his 600th career victory that came on Saturday against Crestline.
In a pregame ceremony Huggins was honored at home plate by Colonel Crawford Athletics Director Dave Sheldon who gave a few other numbers that Huggins has attained while rolling up 600 victories. Sheldon noted that over his 30-year career at Colonel Crawford, Huggins’ teams have won 16 league championships, 26 Sectional Championships, 14 District Championships, seven Regional Championships, and one State Championship. Sheldon also noted that Huggins is currently fifth all-time in wins among Ohio high school softball coaches.
Huggins reflected on what was going through his mind for victory number 600 and what picking up that victory meant to him.
“Pride. Just how proud I am of I am of being able for that 600 to be at one school and that one school is Colonel Crawford. And what I am most proud of is that it’s my alma matter and when you get a chance to give something back to your alma matter it is always special. So, I take a lot of pride that it has been one school and all 600 have come with them,” Huggins said.
“Just the fun that we have had. It is a quote I have learned at a young age from Woody Hayes, ‘You win with people’ and I have won with people. It starts with my longtime partner Carl Diebler. I bet he has been with me for at least 500 of those, and that is huge,” Huggins continued. “I trust him with anything. All of the great players and families. That is what makes it special, those 600 are from the good people, the good coaches, the good players, the good parents, and all of the great fans that we have at Colonel Crawford. It is just very, very humbling. I believe in doing things low key and today, they totally surprised me today. I had no clue that they were going to do anything.”
Huggins also noted that family is big as well on his way to the milestone.
“Another important thing is my family. My wife Julie she supports me 100 percent and my kids. It is so neat to see my daughter follow in my footsteps and coach at Shelby,” Huggins said.
Huggins, who stood at home plate with his wife Julie by his side, was then presented a plaque by long-time assistant coach Carl Diebler.
Diebler spoke about what it has been like as a coach under Huggins.
“It is just fabulous to be part of it. He is just a great guy to work with and know. He and I work well together. He trusts everything I do. He doesn’t look over my shoulder and boy is it fun coaching with someone like that. It has been a great 30 years, I don’t think I have been here for all of them, but most of them,” Diebler said.
After the ceremony Sheldon reflected on what it has meant for the school of Colonel Crawford to have a coach like Huggins.
“I have been with Chuck for 11 years, but I have seen him all growing up and he is just a first-class individual who loves Colonel Crawford. Thirty years ago, Dave Froelich hired him as the softball coach. I think the number one thing with Chuck is the relationships that he has with kids is unbelievable, and you see the kids grow as players and get better all the time,” Sheldon said. “Those kids would run through a fence out here for him, and the relationships with his players is special, which has transpired to 600 wins and all at the same place. You don’t see that in this day and age, loyalty at one place and a board and administration that has supported him to allow him to coach for 30 years.”
After the ceremony, the Lady Eagles would go on to pick up Huggins’ 601st career win with a 13-0 victory over the Bucyrus Lady Redmen. Huggins reflected on victory 601.
“Six-hundred-one felt every bit as sweet as the first 600. I can’t emphasize of how proud I am of this team. They are so locked in. We scored 13 runs and nine different players scored runs. It just shows the confidence that the girls have. They have confidence in themselves and each other so that is huge and a lot of fun,” Huggins explained.
Picking up victory 601 for Huggins was pitcher Sydney Studer, who threw a no-hitter during the game. Studer explained what it has been like to play under Huggins.
“It has been great there is good coaching, good teammates it has been fun,” Studer said. “He has instilled a positive attitude, work on fundamentals a lot, which you need it, never take any team lightly.”
After picking up the victory, Huggins noted that no singular victory was greater than the other.
“It would be so unfair to all of the kids and all of the championships. We take great pride, this isn’t just a hobby for the kids, you can tell how they love softball. All the previous teams and players and the hard work that they put in,” Huggins said. “People ask me all the time what keeps me going, one thing that keeps me going and keeps me motivated each year is how far you can take each team, how much you can teach them the game of softball, and have fun doing it. That is our motto have fun.”
Huggins will go for win 602 against the Carey Lady Blue Devils today in a make-up game from March 31.