UTC Coach Russ Huesman can now add
Orange
Grove
Center’s “Breakfast for Champions” to his growing list of accomplishments as the new head of the university’s football squad.
On Friday, Huesman joined the ranks of former and current college coaches, including Tennessee Vols’ Johnny Majors, Phil Fulmer, and Bruce Pearl; UTC Mocs’ John Shulman and Rodney Allison; and former
University of
Alabama football coach, Gene Stallings. His admiration extends to Lindsey Nelson, college and professional sportscaster who was the inaugural speaker for the first breakfast in 1988.
In his speech to nearly 200 guests, Huesman humorously admitted that after reading Orange Grove literature prior to the 
event, he was intimidated by the lineup of his predecessors. He joked that he asked his secretary to cancel because he would be sick. The more Huesman learned about Orange Grove, the more he prepared himself for the challenge. He says he asked his colleague, Coach Shulman, for advice on being a speaker at the breakfast. Shulman, he says, gave him three words of advice.
“The first thing he said was tell them, basketball is king this year,” Huesman joked.
Huesman ended by repeating the words of Gene Stallings from a 2007 visit to an Orange Grove luncheon where he encouraged guests to make contributions, “because it’s the right thing to do.”
“I will do everything I can to work with you,” he said in his promise to the center.
Guests of the breakfast included Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, Dan Johnson, and other city officials; Arlene Hughes and members of Hamilton County Government; members of Chattanooga Lodge #199; UTC Athletics Director, Rick Hart; representatives from United Way; Fire Chief Randy Parker; Judges Jeff Hollingsworth, Christie Mahn Sell, and David Bales; and elected officials, Senator Bo Watson, State Representative Richard Floyd, and County Commissioner Jim Coppinger; and others.
“Breakfast for Champions” is conducted annually to recognize the supporters and contributors of Orange Grove. The breakfast is a major event of the center, and is by invitation.
