News Article

FSW to Honor Long Time Basketball Coach December 1

Nov 17, 2017

For 26 years, the name Hugh Thimlar was synonymous with Buccaneers basketball in Fort Myers. To honor his years as head coach of the team, Florida SouthWestern State College will host a reception to recognize all he has done for the college. The reception is from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, December 1 at the FSW Suncoast Credit Union Arena. The reception is prior to the FSW Men’s basketball game when the team takes on Santa Fe State College.

“People need to remember that back in those days, there were no other sporting events for residents to attend, so basketball at our institution was a big deal,” said Joe Turner, Director of Institutional Promotions and Development. “Coach is a legend in this area and we are gathering many of his former players together for this special reception to honor him.”

Coach Thimlar was the first basketball coach at the school when it was then known as Edison Junior College and served the institution from 1966-1992. In that time he amassed a record of 413 wins against 338 losses. His teams included five All-Americans, 21 players in the Florida Community College All-Star Game, and 90% of his college players continued education after attending Edison.

In 2008, his native Indiana named him to the Indiana High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and in 1991 he was selected for the Florida Community College Basketball Hall of Fame.

During the reception, the Coach Hugh Thimlar Scholarship will be launched to help future generations of Buccaneers achieve their academic goals. For more information, please call (239) 489-9432. For ticket information for FSW Athletics, go to FSWBUCS.com.

Last Updated: November 17, 2017