Former College of Central Florida women’s basketball coach Gary Ashlock will be inducted into the 2018 Florida College System Activities Association Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame on March 9, during halftime of the 6 p.m. women’s basketball semifinal, at Patriot Gym.
Ashlock becomes the fourth Patriot head basketball coach to be inducted into the FCSAA Hall of Fame. Former head men’s coach Gene Smithson was inducted in 1998, while current men’s basketball head coach Tim Ryan was inducted in 2014 and former women’s coach Cheryl Rice was inducted in 2017.
“I just want to thank the current administration at CF who still believes in me that after 20 years of coaching my last game, that it meant enough to them to nominate me for this great honor,” said Ashlock, who coached the Lady Patriots from 1992-1997. “It is such a joyous occasion and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to of coached some amazing women while at CF.”
Ashlock became the most successful FCSAA coach during his era, amassing a 169-27 overall record at CF, winning over 86 percent of his games. The five-time Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year led CF to five MFC championships in six years and six straight state tournament appearances. Ashlock’s squad won two state titles (1992, 1997) and finished NJCAA Runner-ups those two years.
During his tenure, Ashlock produced six NJCAA All-Americans and received FCSAA Coach of the Year honors in 1992 and 1997.
Ashlock’s success on the court will go down in Patriot record books, but the stats, he says, that can’t be measured are the amazing memories and relationships he forged during his time at CF.
“The lasting memories and relationships I made with my players, CF colleagues, and Ocala community is what I cherish more than any stat or record,” said Ashlock. “Again, I’m just so grateful for this honor and for the CF community for embracing me and my team… they are what made it so special.”
Prior to coaching at CF, Ashlock served as head women’s basketball coach at Trinity Valley Community College from 1978-90 where he recorded a 281-96 overall record. In total, Ashlock amassed a 450-123 record in his 18-year coaching career, with a career winning percentage of .785.
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