By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – There have been a lot of dominant players in the history of the Tennessee Tech women's basketball program, and Emily Christian Hughes definitely earned her name on that list.
Her impact with the Tech women is undeniable and she will be one of five people inducted into the 42nd class of the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Roaden University Center, part of Tech's Homecoming festivities.
Also to be inducted are Lori Bayless (softball), Marcia Borys (administration), Jillian Burns Elliott (women's soccer) and Allison Clark (women's basketball).
A four-year letterwinner for the Golden Eagles from 2002-2006, Hughes currently stands as the third highest scorer in Tech history, notching 2,314 points over 117 games and finishing her career averaging 19.8 points per game.
Hughes also ranks as the sixth best rebounder in Tech history, grabbing 812 boards over 117 games and completing her career averaging 6.9 rebounds a game. She is also No. 24 among Tech's assist leaders (287 assists, 2.2 apg), No. 3 in blockers (128 blocks, 1.1 bpg), and No. 17 in field goal percentage (868-for-1777, 48.8%).
Each season Hughes spent in the purple and gold, she led the team in scoring and blocks, averaging 17.6 points and 1.4 blocks per game as a freshman, 20.4 points and 0.6 blocks as a sophomore, 19.1 points and 1.1 blocks as a junior, and 21.4 points and 1.3 blocks per game in her final campaign.
She was also a three-time team leader in rebounds, averaging 6.4 boards per game as a sophomore, 5.9 as a junior and 8.9 as a senior. Hughes also led her teammates in steals in her freshman and junior campaigns with 1.9 and 2.0 steals per game respectively.
Hughes guided the Golden Eagles to a 23-9 regular season and 16-4 Ohio Valley Conference record during her senior year, which included a regular-season OVC title.
She received numerous accolades throughout her time at Tech, including the 2002-03 OVC Freshman of the Year, 2005-06 OVC Player of the Year, 2004-05 OVC Preseason Player of the Year, 2002-03 All-OVC second team and the All-OVC first team rosters from 2003 to 2006.
Hughes' name has also made an impact on the OVC record book. She is tied with two other players in the league for the best field goal percentage by an individual in a game with a minimum of 10 made field goals, finishing a perfect 12-for-12 against Alabama in the 2004-05 season. In the OVC, Hughes is ranked seventh for most career points and 10th in career scoring average. She also led all scorers in the OVC from her sophomore through senior years.
Hughes was a five-time OVC Freshman of the Week honoree, nine-time OVC Player of the Week recipient and four-time OVC All-Tournament team honoree.
Since her career at Tech concluded, Hughes' No. 40 jersey has been retired and currently hangs in the rafters at the Hooper Eblen Center.
Her basketball career didn't end there. As an assistant for Upperman High head coach Dana (Bilyeu) McWilliams – a former Golden Eagle herself – Hughes helped guide the Lady Bees to district championships, regional championships and a TSSAA Class AA Final 4 from 2006 to 2009.
Hughes has also coached the Cornerstone/Upperman Middle School boys team since 2013, leading the squad to a state runner-up performance in 2015.
Tickets to the Hall of Fame Dinner and Homecoming football game against Southeast Missouri are available through the Athletics ticket office in the Hooper Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940. Reservations must be made for the dinner, with tickets set for $25 each. The dinner will take place in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center on the TTU campus beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.
