UT to Honor Bob Nichols

The University of Toledo has announced that they will honor former men's basketball coach Bob Nichols. He coached at Toledo for 22 seasons from 1965 through 1987, leading the Rockets to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

The University of Toledo will honor former men's basketball coach Bob Nichols at halftime of the March 1st basketball game against Western Michigan. The Rockets will raise a banner from the Savage Hall rafters at halftime. After the game, there will be a reception for Nichols held in the Joe Grogan Room.

Nichols coached Toledo for 22 seasons from 1965 through 1987, leading the Rockets to three NCAA Tournament appearances. The appearances were in 1967, 1979, and 1980. The 1979 team advanced to the Sweet 16.

Nichols had a 376-212 record at Toledo. His 376 wins are the most of any coach in Mid-American Conference history.

"Bob Nichols is clearly one of the greatest coaches in UT and MAC history," said UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien. "We felt the time was right to honor him with a permanent banner in Savage Hall," he added.

"I'm certainly humbled and honored that the University thought to do this," said Bob Nichols. "It's great to be honored in a place where you spent 27 years of your life. I feel like I am sharing this honor with two great assistant coaches, Bob Conroy and Jim McDonald, and with all the great players who have gone on to bigger and better things in their life. I'd also like to mention the UT basketball fans, who I consider to be very knowledgeable and great fans. Basketball has provided a great life for me with many fond memories," Nichols concluded.

The Western Michigan game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00pm on March 1st.