Bob Nichols inducted into MAC hall of fame

Former University of Toledo basketball coach Bob Nichols, right, with athletic director Mike O'Brien in 2008.

Former University of Toledo men's basketball coaching legend Bob Nichols will be inducted into the Mid-American Conference hall of fame May 17 at the MAC Honor's Dinner at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel, the MAC announced today.

Nichols is one of six new members to the Hall, which is inducting its first class since 1994. The other inductees are Ben Curtis (Kent State, men's golf), Herb Deromedi (Central Michigan, football coach), Wayne Embry (Miami, men's basketball), Karen Fitzpatrick (Ball State, field hockey coach) and Mike Schmidt (Ohio, baseball).

Nichols' lifetime record at UT was 376-212 in 22 seasons and still ranks today as the most wins by any basketball coach in Mid-American Conference history. Nichols led the Rockets to 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1965-66 through 1984-85. His 1966-67 squad posted a 23-2 record, the best record in school history, and was ranked No. 11 in the nation in the final UPI poll that season.