Feb. 14, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman College will hold a reunion for Coach Gene Mehaffey's teams on Saturday night as the Eagles host the Tusculum Pioneers.

Mehaffey was the head coach at Carson-Newman from 1967-1978, leading the Eagles to seven conference titles. He also coached three All-Americans while at C-N.

After leaving Carson-Newman, Mehaffey went on to win an NCAA championship at Ohio Wesleyan.

This week's reunion will also be the 35-year anniversary of Carson-Newman's Mehaffey-led 1973 team which captured a school-record 31 wins.

That team's five starters included C-N's all-time leading scorer and rebounder Mike Ogan, as well as Steve Williams, the NAIA single-season record holder for assists. Jimmie McGowan, Jay Cuny, and Mark Mason completed a starting five that is widely-regarded as the best to ever play at Mossy Creek.

Mehaffey coached C-N's top two all-time leading scorers, Ogan and former Gibbs standout Tommy Everett. He was assisted by former Eagle Head Coach Chris Jones, who is third all-time in career points scored.

Mehaffey also coached Tony Mills (1966-'70), who was the first African-American player at C-N.

Saturday's festivities will begin around 4:30 p.m., when Mehaffey will be formally inducted into the Carson-Newman Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be in the Grand Hall of the Maddox Student Activities Center.

A banquet for Mehaffey's former players will take place at 5 p.m., followed by a community greeting with Mehaffey when fans and friends will be welcome to visit with Mehaffey and his former players.

Mehaffey's teams will be honored at halftime of Saturday night's men's game, which tips at 8 p.m.