NEWPORT NEWS, Va.— The 2016 Atlantic 10 Legends class, which features, seven All-Americans, 11 professional players and 21 institutional Hall of Fame members was announced Wednesday. The University of Dayton representatives are Jim Paxson (1975-79) and Sandy Johnson (1973-77).
The Legends program was established in 2013 to recognize men's and women's basketball student-athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on their respective basketball programs and institutions. This year marks the fourth class the Atlantic 10 has inducted. Each year, A-10 member institutions select their two Legends. Previous honorees have included Basketball Hall of Fame members, national champions, Olympians, and professional players.
"It is an honor for the Atlantic 10 to recognize the accomplishments of the 2016 Legends Class," stated A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. "Their significant contributions to their institution(s), teams and to college basketball have made a lasting impression. A well-deserved "congratulation" is in order for this outstanding group of individuals."
The Women's Basketball Legends will be saluted with a breakfast on Friday, March 4 prior to the 2016 A-10 Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals. The event will take place at the Richmond Marriott beginning at 9 a.m.
The Men's Basketball Legends will be honored on Saturday, March 12 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to the 2016 Men's Basketball Championship semifinals. The celebration awards brunch will be in the 40/40 Club, beginning at 11 a.m.
The 2016 Men's Legends class features 13 former students-athletes and one coach. Of the honorees, 10 went on to play professionally in either the NBA or overseas. The group also includes four All-Americans, two former NBA Executives, one NBA All-Star, and one Wooden Award Winner and Naismith National Player of the Year. In addition, 12 of the men's legends are in their respective institutional athletics Hall of Fame.
Paxson is the only Dayton men's basketball player to be named an All-American (USBWA, 1979) and an Academic All-American (CoSIDA, 1979). An NBA All-Star, Paxson played nine seasons with the Portland Trailblazers and Boston Celtics. A former General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was the first Portland player to score 10,000 career points and was recently inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. A four-year starter, Paxson is fifth on UD's all-time scoring list (1,945 points). The Kettering, Ohio native is also fourth in both career assists (515) and steals (168). He averaged an amazing 37.7 minutes a game for his career, the Dayton record. In 2004, he was named to UD's All-Century Team and in 1985 he was inducted into the UD Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. He currently lives in Arizona.
The 2016 Women's Legends, all former student-athletes, including one who also served her institution as a head coach, led their teams to conference championships, NCAA Tournament selections and WNIT appearances. The group includes all-conference honorees, an academic All-American and nine individuals who have been inducted into their institutional athletics Hall of Fame.
Johnson was the first female to break the 1,000-point barrier at the University of Dayton. She ranks sixth in UD History in points per game with 14.4. One of the shortest ever to play for the Flyers, Johnson at 5'5, led her team in scoring for three consecutive seasons, averaging 10.6 ppg her freshman year, 17.2 ppg as a sophomore, and 17.1 ppg as a junior. Her 17.2 ppg as a sophomore is 11th best all-time for a single season. She was a two-time MVP and was named team captain as a senior. She also averaged 12.6 ppg as a senior. During her four-year career at Dayton, she helped the Flyers to a 60-34 record under Coach Elaine Dreidame. She was inducted into Dayton's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.
A limited number of brunch tickets are available to the general public. For more information, please contact the Atlantic 10 Conference at 757-706-3041.
| 2016 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Legends | |
| School | Legend | Years Attended/Coached |
| Davidson | Richard "Dick" Snyder | 1964-66 |
| Dayton | Jim Paxson | 1975-79 |
| Duquesne | Bruce Atkins | 1979-82 |
| Fordham | Kenny Charles | 1969-73 |
| George Mason | Jai Lewis | 2002-06 |
| George Washington | Christopher Monroe | 1999-03 |
| La Salle | William "Speedy" Morris | 1984-01 |
| Massachusetts | Marcus Camby | 1993-96 |
| Rhode Island | Cuttino Mobley | 1994-98 |
| Richmond | Kenny Wood | 1990-93 |
| St. Bonaventure | Sam Stith | 1957-60 |
| Saint Joseph's | Marvin O'Connor | 1984-88 |
| Saint Louis | Bob Ferry | 1999-02 |
| VCU | Domonic Jones | 2000-04 |
2016 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Legends | |
| School | Legend | Years Attended/Coached |
| Davidson | Carolyn Kirsch Rumpel | 1993-97 |
| Dayton | Sandy Johnson | 1973-77 |
| Duquesne | Darcie Vincent | 1988-92 |
| Fordham | Sharon Nast Curley | 1982-86 |
| George Mason | Deborah Taneyhill | 1988-92/1997-08 |
| George Washington | Sarah Jo Lawrence | 2004-08 |
| La Salle | Maureen Kramer | 1977-81 |
| Massachusetts | Melissa Gurile Black | 1992-96 |
| Rhode Island | Safi Mojidi | 2004-08 |
| Richmond | Julie Jones Venick | 1988-92 |
| St. Bonaventure | Susan Shay Danielewicz | 1988-92 |
| Saint Joseph's | Renie Shields | 1978-82 |
| Saint Louis | Julie Hacker-Buehne | 1985-90 |
| VCU | Anya Pavlikhina-Fitzgerald | 1993-95 |
