West Virginia’s Bob Huggins has one of the best right-hand men in the business.

Mountaineers’ assistant Billy Hahn has coached alongside Huggins since 2007 and is regarded as a highly-successful recruiter.

That notion played out in Morgantown as recently as last April when WVU was a Final Four participant.

Hahn, whose resume is equally impressive, is coming to Wheeling next week.

The Belmont-Mountaineer Athletic Club is welcoming WVU’s assistant to its annual season-opening tailgate party at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

Hahn and possibly other Mountaineer invited guests will be on the dias for the Tuesday, Aug. 31 event which begins at 6 p.m.

“We’re pleased Coach Hahn has agreed to join us,” said B-MAC official John Budinscak. “Especially considering the history-making season the Mountaineers completed this past spring.”

Hahn is expected to speak to Mountaineer fans on the hoop program’s progress and provide a brief overview on what lies ahead for the approaching 2010-11 campaign.

“Billy Hahn has a wealth of experience – both as a head coach and assistant on the Division I level,” Budinscak remarked. “We’re certain our tri-state area WVU fans will want to attend.”

The event features a cost of $20 and includes hors d’oeuvres including wings, shrimp, sausage bites, stuffed canupe shells, meatballs and a variety of cheese trays as well as refreshments. A cash bar is also available.

Born in Mishawaka, Ind., Hahn was a point guard for the Maryland Terrapins in the early 70’s and a three-year letterman on three of the greatest hoops’ teams in school history.

As a senior at the College Park campus, Hahn served as team captain on a team that compiled a 24-5 record.

Hahn’s initial coaching stint was at Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston. The following year he moved to Davidson College.

Hahn then accepted an assistant’s post at Rhode Island, aiding the Rams’ run to the 1978 NCAA Tournament.

In 1980, Hahn left URI to become assistant at Ohio University under Danny Nee. During Hahn’s six-year tenure, OU captured two MAC championships, twice qualifying for March Madness. The 1986 Bobcats played in the NIT.

Hahn was then named head coach at OU, a position he held three seasons before returning to his alma mater, Maryland, for an assistant post.

Before joining forces with Huggins at WVU, Hahn served the LaSalle Explorers as head coach three seasons.

“Fans are encouraged to bring cameras and have their picture taken with Coach Hahn,” Budinscak stated.

The B-MAC group has also invited Steubenville’s Liz Repella, former Lady Mountaineers’ basketball ace to next week’s event as well as ex-track star at WVU April Rotilio of St. John Central fame.

BMAC’s upcoming fundraiser also features a drawing for football tickets for the upcoming season.

For additional info or to make table reservations, contact Budinscak at 740 695-2144 or John S. Marshall 740 695-4262.

EXTRA POINTS

TALK about an impact player! The Colorado Rockies last week recalled Matt Reynolds from AAA Colorado Springs where the 6-5, 240-pound pitcher was experiencing an all-star season.

Reynolds saw immediate action, working consecutive nights in relief as the Rockies battled the Diamondbacks and L.A. Dodgers, respectively.

Reynolds’ grandparents are Barnesville residents and his father, Sam, a native of Shamrock land. A Knoxville, Tenn. native, Reynolds pitched collegiatly at Austin Peay University in Kentucky before signing signing on with the Rockies….

WEST Virginia placekicker Tyler Bitancurt has been added to the Lou Groza Award ‘Watch’ list for 2010.

Bitancurt is one of 30 players on the list which will be reduced to 20 semifinalists in late October. The national winner will be announced Dec. 9 during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Award Show from Orlando.

The Groza Award is named for the Martins Ferry native who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL Championships with the Browns and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.

Although noted as an outstanding offensive lineman, Groza is credited for ushering in the notion there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.

Fans can follow the upcoming season in progress for Groza nominees at www.lougrozaaward.com

Gibson may be reached at rgibson@timesleader-online.com