Oct. 10, 2001

VILLANOVA, PA - It spans 81 years and includes Hall of Famers, All-Americans and NCAA champions.

It is The Legend of Villanova Basketball and this fall there will be a special event to celebrate the individuals who made it happen.

On October 27th the Villanova Athletic Department's Block V Club and new head men's basketball coach Jay Wright will host a gala dinner to celebrate that tradition. Coaching legends Jack Kraft and Rollie Massimino will be on hand. Turner Sports analyst and former NBA coach Mike Fratello will act as the evening's master of ceremonies.

Many of the greatest names in Villanova basketball history are scheduled to attend. Among them are Paul Arizin, Larry Hennessy, Keith Herron, Wali Jones, Bill Melchionni, Ed Pinckney, Howard Porter and Hubie White.

"There has never been an event like this at Villanova and we are very excited," said the Director of the Block V Whitey Rigsby. "The response from former players has been tremendous. It will be a wonderful evening."

The dinner is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in the Connelly Center in the heart of Villanova's campus. The event will take place in the midst of the University's annual Homecoming Weekend activities. (The Villanova football team takes on Atlantic 10 rival Massachusetts at noon earlier in the day.) The men's basketball team will also participate in a Blue-White intrasquad game at the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse prior to kickoff of the football game. Plus, new murals picturing some of Villanova's glorious basketball past will be unveiled in the Pavilion.

Those who cherish Villanova basketball won't want to miss this special evening. Dozens of former Wildcat standouts will be on hand to honor the past and look ahead to the future. It promises to be a memorable occasion.

For information on this event please call the Block V Club at 1-877-434-1500 or log on to the Block V website at www.villanova.com.