MAAC Announces 25th Anniversary Men's Basketball Teams

1/22/2006 12:00:00 AM

Canisius Athletic Communications

EDISON, NJ - The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced the members of the league's 25th Anniversary Men's Basketball Teams.

In honor of the conference's 25 years in existence, 25 players are represented on the silver anniversary squad. Ten members were named the 1980's team, 10 were named to the 1990's squad and five players rounded out the 2000-present team.

Among the current member institutions of the league, Iona College, Saint Peter's College and Siena College each had three players named to the teams. Canisius College, Fairfield University, Manhattan College and Niagara University each had two players earn a spot on the squads. Loyola College and Rider University also added one player apiece. Former members of the MAAC are also represented on the teams, including La Salle University (4), Fordham University (1) and the U.S. Military Academy (1).

MAAC 25th Anniversary Men's Basketball Teams

1980's
Paterno, a guard, scored 1,776 points, ranking him third on Fordham's all-time scoring list. He was a three-time scoring average leader and two-time steals leader for the Rams. Paterno was a three-time All-MAAC selection, the 1986 MAAC Rookie of the Year, and a two-time member of the MAAC All-Tournament Team.

Burtt, a guard, was one of the brightest stars of the MAAC's early years and the key in Iona winning two of the first three MAAC crowns. From 1980 to 1984, he tallied an Iona all-time record 2,534 points during 121 games. His 20.4 points per game average ranks second in Iona history, as is his 211 career steals. He was selected to the first three All-MAAC teams and was chosen as the 1983 and 1984 MAAC Player of the Year. Additionally, he was named the 1984 MAAC Championship MVP. He averaged 23.2 points an outing in 1983 and 24.2 per game in 1984.

Springer, a forward, was another key member of those early Iona squads that won two of the first three MAAC titles. Between 1980 and 1984, Springer scored 1,866 points, grabbed 1,021 rebounds and blocked 164 shots. He ranks third all-time on the Iona scoring charts and third in rebounding. He was selected to the first three All-MAAC Teams and was a member of two MAAC All-Tournament teams. He currently ranks among the top 10 in 13 Iona career statistical categories.

Legler, a guard, was a 45.6 percent shooter from three-point range when he played for the Explorers. He set a single season school record by connecting on 49.1 percent of his attempts from behind the three-point arc. Legler recorded 1,699 points and 468 rebounds in 121 games at La Salle. An Academic All-America selection, he is the 13th all-time scorer at La Salle and was a two-time member of the All-MAAC First Team.

Overton, a guard, was a key performer for La Salle during its dominant MAAC days. From 1987 to 1991, Overton starred for the Explorers, leading them to three MAAC Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He netted 1,795 points, handed out 671 assists and notched 277 steals during his 123-game La Salle career. He was a three-time First Team All-MAAC selection and a member of two All-MAAC Tournament teams. His 40 points scored against Fairfield during the 1991 season is the ninth best point total for a regular season game in MAAC history, while his 18 assists against Holy Cross in 1989 is second all-time in MAAC play.

Simmons, a La Salle forward, is the MAAC's most decorated player ever. Between 1986 and 1990, Simmons netted 3,217 career points, grabbed 1,429 rebounds, blocked 248 shots and notched 239 steals. He led the Explorers to three MAAC Championships, three NCAA Tournament berths and the NIT finals in 1987. He was a four-time First Team All-MAAC choice and the only three-time MAAC Player of the Year. He was also named as the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 1987. Additionally, he made the All-MAAC Tournament team in all four seasons and was a two-time MVP. He was the 1990 National Player of the Year.

Gibbs, a guard, is regarded as Saint Peter's top performer during the early days of the MAAC. During his career, which spanned from 1981 to 1985, Gibbs totaled 1,688 points and grabbed 435 rebounds. His point total ranks fourth in school history. Gibbs was a three-time All-MAAC choice and was named to the All-MAAC Tournament squad in 1984, when the Peacocks finished third and recorded 23 wins on the season. During Gibbs' career, Saint Peter's enjoyed three 20+ win seasons.

Haynes, a forward, led the Peacocks in scoring for three seasons during his time in the Yanitelli Center. He is ranked third on the school's all-time scoring chart with 1,730 points to his credit. Haynes was a three-time member of the All-MAAC Second Team.

Brown, a guard, had already hit his stride as a college hoops star when the Saints entered the MAAC prior to the 1989-90 season. He had, just the season before, delivered a 32-point performance in Siena's NCAA opening round upset win over Stanford. He remains Siena??s all-time leading scorer with 2,284 career points. He also reigns as the Saint??s top playmaker with 796 assists during his 123-game career. His two-year MAAC career was a memorable one, earning first team All-MAAC twice, including MAAC Player of the Year kudos in 1991 after averaging 23.3 points and 5.1 assists per game.

Houston, a guard, was Army's top player from 1984-87. His 2,325 points in 113 career games are tops in Cadet history. In 1987, he put Army and MAAC basketball in the national spotlight by leading all Division I scorers with a 32.9 points per game scoring average. He was a three-time First Team All-MAAC selection and was tabbed as the 1987 MAAC Player of the Year and the 1984 MAAC Rookie of the Year. During the 1987 MAAC Tournament he turned in one of the events most memorable performances by dropping 53 points on Fordham in an opening round match-up.

1990's
Meeks, a forward/center, was an integral part of Canisius' great success during the mid-1990s. From 1992 to 1996, Meeks amassed 1,827 points and 838 rebounds in 119 career games. He was selected as the 1993 MAAC Rookie of the Year and then earned three consecutive First Team All-MAAC accolades through his senior season. He helped the Griffs to three straight postseason appearances, including the 1996 MAAC title and subsequent berth into the NCAA Tournament. In 1995, Meeks helped the Griffs to the NIT semifinals.

Wise, a guard/forward, was a key element to Canisius' successful run in the 1990s. Wise, who starred for the Griffs from 1991 through 1995, scored 1,799 points, grabbed 784 rebounds and handed out 353 assists in 121 career games. In his final two seasons, he led the Griffs to two consecutive NIT appearances, including a semifinal run in 1995. He was a two-time All-MAAC First Team selection, including his 1995 MAAC Player of the Year honor after averaging 16.4 points per game. He was also named the 1992 MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year.

Phillip, a forward/center, was a top inside player for Fairfield. Between 1996 and 2000, Phillip accumulated 1,218 points and grabbed 868 rebounds. He began by being chosen to the 1997 All-MAAC Tournament squad after leading Fairfield to an improbable run to the MAAC title. He finished with two straight First Team All-MAAC selections and two consecutive MAAC rebounding titles. As a senior, he averaged 15.9 points per game. He owns the top two single game rebounding efforts in MAAC history, including a MAAC-record 25 caroms versus Marist during the 1999-2000 campaign.

Kirksay, a forward, played a vital role during Iona's streak of success while he wore the Maroon and Gold. Kirksay, who netted 1,814 career points from 1996 to 2000, led the Gaels to three postseason appearances during his career, including two NCAA trips. In addition to his scoring exploits, he finished in the top 10 in Iona history in 10 different statistical categories. Kirksay currently ranks fourth all-time in Iona history in points, rebounds (926) and steals (207). He was a three-time All-MAAC selection, including two First Team nods. He was named the 2000 MAAC Player of the Year and was a member of two All-MAAC Tournament teams.

Woods, a guard, netted 1,811 points in three years, making him the eighth all-time scorer at La Salle. He also grabbed 418 rebounds in 88 games for the Explorers. Woods twice earned a spot on the All-MAAC First Team, and was also named the 1992 MAAC Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 MAAC Tournament.

Powell, a guard/forward, is Loyola's seventh all-time leading scorer with 1,608 career points in 81 games. He holds the school record for most free throws in a season (207) and most free throw attempts in a season (255). Powell is a three-time First Team All-MAAC selection.

Bullock, a forward, was the key performer in Manhattan's resurgence. Prior to his arrival for the 1989-90 season, the Jaspers had finished no better than fourth place in the MAAC race. Between 1989 and 1993, Manhattan captured two regular season MAAC crowns (1992 and 1993) and advanced to the tournament title game twice (1992 and 1993), winning in 1993. Manhattan's second all-time leading scorer, he netted 1,992 points in 120 games. He was a three-time First Team All-MAAC choice, including winning Player of the Year honors in 1993. The 1990 MAAC Rookie of the Year, he was also named MVP of the 1993 MAAC Tournament.

Young, a guard, made the most of his two years at Niagara. As a junior, he started all 27 games and earned All-MAAC Third Team honors, averaging 15.7 points per game. In his second and final year at Monteagle Ridge, Young led the nation in scoring with 25.1 points an outing, leading the Purple Eagles to a share of the 1998-99 MAAC Regular-Season Title. He was named the 1999 MAAC Player of the Year and earned a spot on the 1999 MAAC All-Tournament Team. He concluded his playing career at Niagara with 1,152 points in 56 games.

Bennerman, a guard, was one of the most prolific scorers in MAAC history. Between 1990 and 1994, Bennerman netted 2,109 points and handed-out 577 assists in 125 games. He was named the 1994 MAAC Player of the Year, averaging 26.0 points and 5.5 assists as a senior. During that same season, he guided the Saints to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden. While in NYC, Bennerman established a new NIT scoring mark by dropping 51 points on Kansas State. For his efforts, he earned NIT MVP honors. He was a three-time All-MAAC selection.

Faison, a guard/forward, was a key player during Siena's run of success in the late 1990s. Starring for the Saints from 1996 through 2000, Faison helped the Saints to three straight MAAC Championship games and two consecutive postseason trips (NCAA in 1999 and NIT in 2000). In 1999, he was the top player on Siena's 25-6, NCAA squad. In 1999-2000, he helped Siena to a 24-9 ledger and the NIT's second round. He earned three First Team All-MAAC honors and was the MVP of the 1999 MAAC Tournament. He scored 1,697 points during his Siena career, third in school history.

2000's
Gai, a forward/center, compiled 1,268 points, 699 rebounds and 444 blocks in 100 games played for the Stags. He is currently 13th on the Fairfield scoring chart and 11th on the school's rebounding list. During his senior campaign, Gai was the nation's top shot blocker, posting 5.5 rejections per game. His career average of 4.4 blocks per game ranks him eighth all-time in Division I play. Gai won the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award an unprecedented three times during his college career, and also earned a spot on the All-MAAC First Team twice and the 2003 MAAC All-Tournament Team.

Flores, a guard, graduated from Manhattan as the all-time leading scorer in school history, netting 2,046 points in just 89 games played for the Jaspers. He is ranked in several school categories, holding the individual career records for scoring average (22.7 ppg) and free throw percentage (.879). Flores perhaps forever sealed himself in the Manhattan history books after he led the school to its first back-to-back MAAC Championship titles during his junior and senior campaigns, as well as a first-round victory over the University of Florida in the NCAA Tournament. He was a three-time First Team All-MAAC pick, a two-time MAAC Player of the Year (2003 and 2004) and a two-time MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Mendez, a forward, is the second all-time scorer at Niagara, behind All-American Calvin Murphy, with 2,210 points in 123 games played. He is ranked in the top 10 of several school categories, and holds the top spot on the free throw attempts list (843). A three-time All-MAAC First Team selection, he helped lead his squad to earn a share of the 2004-05 MAAC Regular-Season Title, claim the 2005 MAAC Championship Title and gave the Purple Eagles their first trip to the NCAA Championship in 35 years. For his efforts, Mendez was named the 2005 MAAC Player of the Year and the 2005 MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Johnson, a guard, was just the second Bronc in school history to score over 2,000 career points, netting 2,047 points in 116 games at Rider. He also tallied 421 assists (fifth all-time at Rider) and 364 rebounds during his college career. Johnson is ranked third on the MAAC All-Time Scoring List, recording 1,287 points in 72 MAAC regular-season games. The three-time All-MAAC First Team pick helped lead his squad to share a piece of the 2001-02 MAAC Regular Season Title and earned the 2002 MAAC Rookie of the Year award.

Clark, a guard, is the lone active player on the MAAC 25th Anniversary Team, and he is still in the process of rewriting the history books. As a freshman, he set a Yanitelli Center record when he scored 44 points in Saint Peter's 94-85 victory over St. Francis (N.Y.). He went on to earn back-to-back National Scoring titles, averaging 26.7 points as a sophomore and 25.8 points during his junior campaign. He is the all-time leading scorer in Peacock history with 2,469 points in 95 games, and is currently third on the school's assists chart, handing out 423 in his career. Clark surpassed Lionel Simmons (1,465 in 58 games) as the all-time leading scorer in MAAC history with 1,415 points in 56 games.