August 5, 2005

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University third-year men’s basketball head coach Mike Gillian has announced the appointment of Michael Huger as a new assistant coach with the program. Huger has played professionally in Europe for the past 12 years after graduating from Bowling Green State University.

“Having just completed a successful and lengthy professional playing career, Mike Huger brings with him to Longwood a wealth of practical basketball knowledge that we will put to great use, especially in the continuing development of our young players,” explained Gillian. “Mike has always wanted to get into the coaching profession when his playing career came to its conclusion, and I am very pleased that his opportunity to do just that is with us here at Longwood.

“He has tremendous energy, is a great person, very positive and upbeat, and I'm certain will be a great addition to our coaching staff.”

Huger has played in Belgium since 1996 for Basket Club Liege (2001-05), FLV Athlon Ieper (2000-01), and Racing Antwerp (1996-2000). He began his professional career in Finland for Turku (1993-94) before playing in Holland for two years (Goba Gorinchem, 1994-95; Rotterdam, 1995-96). Huger was the Dutch League’s MVP for 1995-96, averaging 25.3 points and 5.8 assists. He has also earned first-team All-Belgium honors in both 2000 (15.7 points, 5.3 assists) and 2004 (13.6 points, 4.0 assists), leading both of those respective teams to Belgium Cup Championships. Additionally, Huger has coached and mentored the Liege Basket Club Junior League program since 2001.

“I am very excited about joining the Longwood University men’s basketball program,” said Huger. “I appreciate this opportunity and look forward to working with Coach Gillian and his staff in helping the team toward a successful upcoming season.”

A native of New York City, Huger earned his bachelor of science degree in education from Bowling Green State in 1994. He was a standout for the Falcons from 1989-93, twice earning Mid-American Conference honors (1993, 1992) while also a Naismith Award nominee in 1993 (16.0 points, 4.1 assists). Huger totaled 988 career points and 283 career assists at BGSU.

Longwood will compete during 2005-06 in the third year of its four-year NCAA Division I Reclassification. The Lancers will open at the John Thompson Foundation ‘Challenge’ Basketball Classic November 18-20 in Lincoln, Neb.; playing host Nebraska (Nov. 18), along with Louisiana Tech (Nov. 19) and Yale (Nov. 20).