College Friend Plans to Return ?Final Four? Ring to Huery

In mid-May, an unusual thing popped up on eBay, the online auction site.

It was the championship ring former Arkansas Razorbacks basketball player Ron Huery received in 1990 for playing in the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four.

Bidding started at $1, and the ring sold a week later on May 18 for $1,500.

Jay Hunt of Jonesboro said he bought the ring so he could give it back to Huery, although he may wait until Huery finishes his bachelor’s degree in secondary education at the University of Arkansas before doing so. Huery plans to move from Memphis back to Fayetteville for a year so he can complete his degree.

“It means a lot more to him than it does to me, so I’m going to give it back to him,” Hunt said.

Hunt, who graduated from the UA in 1991, said he knew Huery when the two were in college in Fayetteville, but he hasn’t spoken to Huery since then.

“I remember Jay Hunt,” Huery said when the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal told him of Hunt’s plans. “He knows I’m having hard times … You rarely, rarely find somebody who’s a good friend. When you leave college, there are a lot of fair-weather fans, but the real true Razorback fans are the ones who are loyal to you to the end …

“Thank goodness I’ve still got some friends who appreciate me. Tell the Razorback fans I still love them and I’m still loyal.”

Huery, who has been working at a sawmill, said many college athletes don’t realize how important it is to finish their degree. He said it’s difficult to get a good job without one, but many athletes assume they’ll be playing professionally and a degree isn’t necessary.

“When we leave college, we’re just like regular people,” Huery said. “It’s a rude awakening for a lot of athletes. There’s nothing promised to you. I’ve learned my lesson. Thanks to God, I’m blessed. God pulled me through a lot of situations.”

Huery said former Razorback coach Nolan Richardson has tried for years to get him to come back to Fayetteville to finish his degree.

Hunt said the ring was posted on eBay for Huery by the president of the Arkansas Razorbacks Club in Memphis.

Hunt manufactures exercise equipment and owns Shake’s Frozen Custard franchises in Jonesboro and Jackson, Tenn. Shake’s is based in Fayetteville.

Huery had his share of problems off the court. On it, he was a McDonald’s High School All-American and in the top 10 all-time list of scoring, assists and steals at the UA.