William “Skip” Hughes was a dentist by trade. His passion, however was coaching.
A graduate and former basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh, he took over the Saint Francis College men’s basketball team in 1945-46 and elevated the program to unprecedented heights. During a career that spanned more than 20 seasons, he posted a record of 293-206-1 and won 20-or-more games in a season five times.
His greatest accomplishment may have been his recruitment of the late and legendary Maurice Stokes from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh. Together, the pair led Saint Francis to a four-year record of 79-30 from 1951-55, which included two prestigious National Invitational Tournament (NIT) bids. In the 1955 NIT, Saint Francis achieved national recognition by finishing fourth. He led the team to another NIT berth in 1958.
An avid golfer and tennis player until he death in February 1991, William “Skip” Hughes, a native of nearby Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania is a member of the Pennsylvania and Blair County Halls of Fame.
Saint Francis College is proud to honor Dr. William “Skip” Hughes with induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame on this date, Saturday, November 16, 1996.
