NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Conference on Tuesday announced its second annual BIG EAST Basketball Legends Recognition Program. Each of the Conference’s 11 member schools selected a former prominent coach or player from both their men’s and women’s programs to be honored at the upcoming BIG EAST Tournaments.  
 
Women’s basketball Legends will be recognized during the BIG EAST Tournament Quarterfinals on March 8 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Men’s basketball Legends will be honored during each team’s first game of the BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the First Round on March 12 and Quarterfinals on March 13.
 
“We are excited to continue this annual celebration of former players and coaches who have had profound impacts on the history and success of our 22 basketball programs,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. “Our second group of BIG EAST Legends includes trailblazers as well as more recent stars, all of whom have contributed significantly to their schools and many of whom are part of BIG EAST basketball lore.  We look forward to giving them the big round of applause they deserve during our upcoming tournament festivities."
 
Commissioner Val Ackerman. “Our second group of BIG EAST Legends includes trailblazers as well as more recent stars, all of whom have contributed significantly to their schools and many of whom are part of BIG EAST basketball lore.  We look forward to giving them the big round of applause they deserve during our upcoming tournament festivities."
 
The second class of BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Legends includes: Butler’s Gordon Hayward (2008-10), UConn’s Rudy Gay (2004-06), Creighton’s Anthony Tolliver (2003-07), DePaul’s Quentin Richardson (1998-00), Georgetown’s John Duren (1976-80), Marquette’s Tony Smith (1986-90), Providence’s Otis Thorpe (1980-84), St. John’s Metta (Ron) Sandiford-Artest (1997-99), Seton Hall’s Jerry Walker (2001-03), Villanova’s Ed Pinckney (1981-85) and Xavier’s Darnell Williams (1995-00).
 
The second class of BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Legends are: Butler’s Lade Akande (2005-09), UConn’s Kerry Bascom (1987-91), Creighton’s Sarah Nelson Vandeberg (2010-14), DePaul’s Anna Martin (2009-13), Georgetown’s Ebiho T. Ahonkhai (1993-97), Marquette’s Krystal Ellis (2005-09), Providence’s Britt King (1982-86), St. John’s Kathy Meehan (1974-78), Seton Hall’s Robin Cunningham (1974-78), Villanova’s Lisa Angelotti-Gedaka (1984-88) and Xavier’s Amber Harris (2007-11).
 
For more on each BIG EAST Legend, click HERE.