The Huckabee Annex was dedicated in April of 2002. The facility was made possible by the $1 million contribution of an anonymous donor who wished to name the facility in honor of the late Joseph Lavern Huckabee. A native of Marion, SC, Mr. Huckabee came to Clemson as a student in 1950 and served in the Air Force in the Korean war after his graduation. He was a member of IPTAY for 47 continuous years until his death a in 2001 after a bout with cancer. He served on the Clemson Board of Visitors. Huckabee was honored at a dinner in Clemson in December of 2001. “It is truly an honor for our family to be here to accept this naming opportunity,” said Watts Huckabee, who spoke on behalf of the family. “I believe our father and your friend (the donor) chose to live a morally balanced life, focusing on how he could impact other lives with acts of kindness.”
The generous gift toward the annex allowed Clemson to construct a modern $7.5 million facility that serves Clemson’s men’s and women’s program in all facets of their career as a Clemson Tiger.
The facility that was constructed over the tunnel end (South) of Littlejohn Coliseum includes a new practice gym. This is the first time the Clemson program has had a practice gym and it allows the Tigers to work on their game year round in a private environment.
New equipment rooms and training rooms are also a part of the facility. The athletic training room includes offices for the men’s and women’s athletic training staff. It is among the largest basketball-only facilities of its kind in the nation. The strength facility is also a part of the Huckabee Annex. Located on the third floor of the facility, the nearly 8,000 square foot area is adjacent to the new concourse area of the Coliseum.
Finally, the third floor of the annex is the home of a Clemson basketball memorabilia area that provides a modern documentation of Clemson basketball history. It showcases Clemson victories over number-one ranked teams, the 1990 ACC Championship trophy, and a banner area highlighting the program’s accomplishments that date to the 1939 Southern Conference Championship. Giant action photos of Clemson’s greatest players are also on display.
April 23, 2024
