Gardner-Webb Dedicates Eddie Holbrook Court Thursday Night
February 27, 2015 | Men's Basketball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb University officially dedicated Eddie Holbrook Court Thursday night at halftime of a 91-71 men's basketball win over first-place Charleston Southern in Paul Porter Arena.
The court was named in honor of former head basketball coach Eddie Holbrook, who enjoyed a spectacular tenure in charge of the Runnin' Bulldogs from 1964-1978. During that time Holbrook posted a 343-65 overall record – averaging an unmatched 24.5 wins per season during his 14 years on the sidelines.
Holbrook's astonishing .841 winning percentage remains a testament to the high quality of basketball played in Bost Gymnasium during his tenure – and to the dominance his teams displayed each night on the court.
The success came early for Holbrook, and continued throughout his career.
Gardner-Webb won a conference title in just his second season at the helm and became arguably the top junior college program in the southeast. After recruiting future Basketball Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore and local standout George Adams in the late 1960s, Holbrook directed the Runnin' Bulldogs to consecutive 30-win seasons, Region X titles and the NJCAA National Tournament in both 1968 and 1969.
Holbrook coached eight All-Americans during his time in Boiling Springs and five of his players – including Gilmore and legendary wing guard John Drew – went on to be drafted by NBA teams.
A traditionally difficult transition from junior college to senior college basketball was navigated by Holbrook with relative ease. After closing out the junior college era in style, he led Gardner-Webb to a 31-5 mark and a fourth-place finish at the 1972 NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City. That 1971-72 squad averaged a school-record 104.3 points per game, continuing a trademark, up-tempo style that raised the program to a high level of popularity.
Bost Gymnasium, the team's home until 1982, emerged as the most feared venue in the Carolinas during Holbrook's time in charge. His teams started an historic home win streak that eventually reached 82 games.
By the end of his time in Boiling Springs, Holbrook had directed Gardner-Webb to four 30-win seasons and seven more 20-win campaigns. He led 12 of his 14 teams to top-10 national rankings and led teams to either the NJCAA or NAIA National Tournament five times.
