Robert L. Hughes was a star player on the men's basketball team from 1951-1954 coached by the legendary Ed Adams. Hughes played forward, post and off-guard positions, averaging more than 20 points as a senior. He was a member on the Midwestern Athletic Association championship.

Hughes garnered All-Conference honors three years and was named TSU's Athlete of the Year as a senior. In 1954, Hughes played with the Harlem Magicians and was later a draftee of the Boston Celtics. 

The Sapulpa, Oklahoma native followed his playing days with a storied high school coaching career. At I.M. Terrell High School in Fort Worth, Hughes won nine district championships. At Forth Worth Dunbar, he has won 18 district titles, 17 bi-district titles, 10 regional championships and one state championship. In 1993, Hughes was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Hughes is married and the father of the four children.