WVU LGBTQ+ Center Hopes to Use Bob Huggins Situation to ‘Build Bridges’

The immediate aftermath from the Bob Huggins punishment being announced included statements from WVU president E. Gordon Gee, director of athletics Wren Baker and even Huggins himself. While necessary, these statements don’t cover everyone involved with WVU who deserves to speak on the matter.

The WVU LGBTQ+ Center, who was previously choosing to wait for the situation to be handled in full before commenting, released a statement of their own. WVU’s Executive Director of Communications April Kaull sent this statement to WVSN’s Mike Asti on behalf of the school’s LGBTQ+ Center.

“We are disappointed in the casual and hurtful way that Coach Huggins spoke about the LGBTQ+ community, and while others may be surprised that the situation occurred and the result, we deal with this every day. Marginalized communities are constantly under threat, and the WVU LGBTQ+ Center pledges to continue fulfilling its mission as an educational institution to support and advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

We will use this as an opportunity to strengthen and build bridges, and we look forward to working closely with Coach Huggins and WVU administration to continue improving our campus climate, especially for our students and student-athletes, and to bring increased awareness and education of this important issue to people across the state.”

WVU's Executive Director of Communications April Kaull sent me this statement on behalf of the WVU LGBTQ+ Center:

"We are disappointed in the casual and hurtful way that Coach Huggins spoke about the LGBTQ+ community, and while others may be surprised that the situation occurred…

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) May 10, 2023

WVSN was also able to obtain comments from a couple professors and the Morgantown Pride organization on their initial reactions to learning of Huggins’ use of an anti-gay slur.

WVU Professor on Bob Huggins’ Use of Anti-Gay Slur: ‘It Saddens Me’

Bob Huggins is set to remain the head men’s basketball coach at WVU, the university announced on Wednesday. Huggins will face a three-game suspension and a $1 million reduction to his contracted salary. Huggins will also undergo sensitivity training, working with the LGBTQ community.

Huggins’ current contract has also been amended from a multi-year agreement to a year-by-year agreement that will begin on May 10, 2023, and end on April 30, 2024.