CAA RELEASES 2008 MEN'S BASKETBALL LEGENDS
RICHMOND, VA - The Colonial Athletic
Association will honor its seventh annual class of CAA Men's Basketball Legends
in conjunction with the 2008 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship, March 7-10, at
the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va. The Legends will be recognized during
the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship Banquet, Thursday, March 6 as well as on
the court during the first two days of championship action.
The class includes twelve former
student-athletes and coaches representing five decades of CAA Men's Basketball.
Below is a complete list of the 2008 CAA Men’s Basketball Legends and their
accomplishments.
Steve
Steinwedel, Delaware (1985-1995)
The
winningest coach in Delaware men's basketball history, Steve Steinwedel
transformed the Blue Hens into a conference power during his successful tenure
from 1985-95. He posted a 10-year record of 163-121 and led the Blue Hens to
seven winning seasons and two conference titles. In 1991-92, Delaware posted a
school-record 27-4 mark, which included a stretch of 20 straight victories, and
made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Delaware returned to the NCAA
Tournament the following year with a 22-8 mark.
Michael
Anderson, Drexel (1984-1988)
Michael
Anderson was one of the top players in Drexel history. He set 45 school records
and led the Dragons to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1986.
Anderson, who finished as Drexel’s all-time leader in points (2,208), assists
(724) and steals (341), was a two-time ECC Player of the Year, a three-time
all-conference pick and an honorable mention All-American. He became the
first Dragon ever selected in the NBA draft when he was chosen in the third
round by the Indiana Pacers. He played one season with the San Antonio
Spurs and also played professionally in Spain and Turkey.
John
Niehoff, George Mason (1980-1984)
John
Niehoff was an undersized guard who walked on to the George Mason team as a
freshman, but earned a scholarship by season’s end. Niehoff played in all
108 games during his four-year career and is among the top five in Mason
history in assists (331) and steals (152). The Patriots posted a 21-7
record in his senior year when he was a candidate for the Naismith Award as the
top player under 6 feet tall.
Rodney
Hamilton, Georgia State (1994-1998)
Rodney
Hamilton was the first Georgia State player to have his jersey retired. He was
the Panthers’ all-time leader in points (1,515), assists (535), steals (212)
and FT percentage (83.8%), and was the first State player to start more than
100 games in his career that went from 1994-98. Hamilton was a two-time
All-Atlantic Sun selection and also a two-time member of the academic
all-conference team. After graduation in 1988, Hamilton played professional
basketball for three seasons in Sweden, Switzerland and Hungary.
Norman
Richardson, Hofstra (1997-2001)
Norman
Richardson helped lead Hofstra to 91 wins over his four years, including a
school-record tying 26-5 mark as a senior in 2000-01. He also helped the Pride
to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 2000 and 2001. As a senior, he
averaged 16.7 points and 6.0 rebounds, earning America East Player of the Year
honors and the Haggerty Award, which is given to the top player in the New York
City area. He currently ranks eighth in school history in career scoring (1,677
points) and third in career three-pointers (192). Richardson was a free agent
signing of the Indiana Pacers and played with both the Pacers and the Chicago
Bulls in 2001-02. He is currently playing professionally in Poland with Hofstra
alum Carlos Rivera.
Charles
“Lefty” Driesell, James Madison (1988-1997)
Charles
"Lefty" Driesell compiled a 159-111 (.593) record and led James
Madison to five post-season appearances in nine seasons (1988-97). His
1994 team won the CAA Tournament to send the Dukes to NCAA play for the first
time since 1983. JMU won the regular-season CAA crown for five straight seasons
(1990-94) and JMU reached the National Invitation Tournament for four straight
years from 1990-93. Driesell compiled a 786-394 (.667) record from
1960-2003 and also won more than 100 games at Davidson, Maryland and
Georgia State, taking each to NCAA Tournament play and becoming the first coach
with 100 wins at four schools.
Mel
Gibson, UNC Wilmington (1973-1986)
Coach Mel Gibson brought UNCW’s hoops program into the NCAA
Division I era and compiled a 194-180 record over 14 seasons with the Seahawks
from 1973-86. His first four NCAA Division I teams carved out a solid 73-35
record, with three squads posting 19 victories. No other squad reached that
number until the 1997-98 team went 20-11. Gibson’s teams earned the school’s
first Division I victory and recorded UNCW’s inaugural CAA triumph over George
Mason on Jan. 5, 1985.
John
Clark, Northeastern (1972-1976)
John
Clark graduated from Northeastern as the Huskies’ all-time leading scorer with
1,617 points. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 20.4 points per game as a senior in
1974-75, becoming only the third player in New England basketball history to
average over 20.0 ppg in a season. Clark, who also pulled down 468 career
rebounds, earned All-New England honors and was chosen to the District 1
All-America team. He was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 1987.
Clark, who was a 6th-round draft choice of the Boston Celtics, also
excelled in the classroom and received the Homer Wordolf Award for outstanding
academic achievement.
Jeff
Fuhrmann, Old Dominion (1973-1977)
Jeff
Fuhrmann helped lead Old Dominion to the 1975 NCAA Division II National
Championship as a sophomore, and then on to Division I prominence. He completed
his ODU career as the school's 12th all-time leading scorer with 1,429 points
and as the 13th all-time rebounder with 627. The Monarchs went 89-29 and
competed in post season play during all four of his seasons. As a senior in
1976-77, the Monarchs went 25-4, put together a 22-game winning streak and
defeated Georgetown to capture the ECAC South title.
Bobby
Washington, Towson (1974-1978)
A
four-year starter at forward, Bobby Washington finished his career as one of
the top scorers and rebounders in Towson history. A two-time All-Mason-Dixon
Conference selection, he is among the Tigers’ career top 10 in points (1,437),
rebounds (970) and blocked shots (126). In his junior season, Washington
averaged 10.0 ppg and 7.4 rpg for the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II that
won the NCAA South Atlantic regional and finished with a school-record 27-3
mark. In his senior year, the Tigers went 26-4, were ranked #3 nationally and
made their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
J.D.
Barnett, VCU (1980-1985)
J.D. Barnett
guided VCU to an amazing run of success during his six seasons as head coach
from 1980-85. The Rams won more than 73 percent (132-48) of their games under
Barnett, including four seasons with 23 or more victories. VCU captured four
Sun Belt regular-season titles and three conference tournament crowns during
his tenure. Barnett led the Rams into the NCAA Tournament for the first time
during his inaugural season in 1979-80 and earned berths to the Big Dance five
times in his six years. Four times VCU advanced to the second round, including
1985 when it earned a #2 seed in the West Region. He was a two-time Sun Belt
Coach of the Year.
Tom
Jasper, William and Mary (1969-1971)
Tom
Jasper spent two seasons (1969-71) in a Tribe uniform after transferring from
Frederick College. He averaged 18.2 points per game over his W&M career,
which ranks fifth in school history, while his 8.2 rebounds per game is 10th
best in the program’s annals. As a senior in 1971, Jasper was a team
co-captain and led the Tribe in scoring (19.2) and rebounding (8.6). He was
named the Southern Conference co-Player of the Year along with garnering
First-Team All-Southern Conference accolades. As a junior, Jasper
averaged 17.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He led Frederick College
to a Small College National title as a sophomore, before transferring to
W&M.