The Atlantic 10 Conference has announced its inaugural Men’s Basketball Legends, including 16 former men’s basketball student-athletes and coaches who made an immeasurable impact on each A-10 institution and its basketball program.
There is a strong New York presence, with three of the honorees hailing from Gotham. Brooklyn natives Johnny Bach, who starred and coached at Fordham, and “Red” Auerbach, whose playing days at George Washington predated his coaching stardom in Boston, are joined by Steve Chubin of Forest Hills, a 1966 graduate of Rhode Island who is the Rams’ all-time leading scorer.
“The considerable contributions each of these gentlemen made to their institution and its basketball program played an important role in shaping the foundation of men’s basketball in the Atlantic 10,” stated A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “Whether it was building a program that eventually became a founding member or furthering the conference as it grew into a basketball power, each of the honorees is a part of the fabric of A-10 history and we’re thrilled to be able to honor them.”
Others on the list of regional note include Atlantic City, N.J., native Lou Roe of Massachusetts and St. Bonaventure’s Earl Belcher of Syracuse, N.Y.
The Men’s Basketball Legends will be honored on March 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. prior to the 2013 Men’s Basketball Championship semifinals. The women’s class will be announced shortly. Each honoree will be saluted during a celebration awards brunch in the 40/40 Club, beginning at 11 am prior to the A-10 men’s semifinal games.