Legendary coach, educator Hemmings to retire from BU

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Published on Thursday, June 19, 2014

myWestman.ca

After 40 years at Brandon University, legendary Bobcats basketball coach and educator Jerry Hemmings has officially tendered his resignation.

His employment at BU will officially come to an end Aug. 31.

Hemmings, from Mt. Airy, North Carolina took over the BU’s men’s basketball program in 1974. Hemmings helped lead the team to four national championships, 19 conference titles and 734 career wins.

Hemmings was known for recruiting high-level players from both sides of the border and helped lay the groundwork for what would be one of the most successful basketball programs in Canadian university history.

“How many people can say they wake up every day and look forward to going to work? I was able to do that for 40 years,” said Hemmings in a release.

“Forty is a good number,” he continued. “The past 40 years have been great. We all have to move on. There’s good people waiting for an opportunity, and I’m looking forward to retirement.”

Hemmings is a former Bobcat himself, playing one season with the ’Cats in 1971-72, averaging 24.5 points per game and earning BU male athlete of the year honours and was named team MVP.

With files from BU release

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