Sept. 24, 2009
Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University Athletics will retire the uniform number 55 of all-time women's basketball great Anne Gregory O'Connell in ceremonies at half time of Fordham's home game against Rider on Saturday, December 5, at the Rose Hill Gymnasium (1:00 PM tip off), it was announced today by head women's basketball coach Cathy Andruzzi.
Gregory O'Connell, the top rebounder in women's college hoops history with 1,999 boards (pre-NCAA record still stands today) and the first Fordham women's player to score 2,000 points, starred for the Rams of Rose Hill from 1976-80. She becomes the first female athlete in Fordham history to have her number retired and was the first female inductee in the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame (1986). Men's basketball legend Ed Conlin's jersey number 11, which was hoisted to the rafters on November 20, 2005, is the only other Fordham hoopster to be so honored.
"Anne's collegiate basketball performance was exceptional," said Andruzzi. "She carried the Rams to national prominence, while setting a national rebounding record that still stands 28 years later. Anne's performance, character and leadership on and off the court set the standard for our student-athletes. We look forward to celebrating her great accomplishment when her jersey is hung from the rafters at Rose Hill."
Even though her Fordham playing career for ended in 1980, Gregory O'Connell still retains the seven all-time career records including points (2,548), field goals (982), free throws (584) and blocks (200). Of course, her most impressive statistic, just one rebound short of 2,000, is not only over 1,000 more than the runner up, but continues to set the standard for women's basketball, and the record has yet to be reached since the NCAA was established in 1983.
Gregory O'Connell also retains the top spots in single-season field goal percentage (.607) and free throws (176), and still holds the top four spots in both rebounds and rebounding average. Her best season came as a freshman, posting 640 rebounds and an average of 23.7 per game.
Gregory O'Connell is now a guidance counselor at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, New York, and resides in Elmont with her husband, Associated Press Hall of Fame college basketball writer Jim O'Connell, and their adult children James and Andrew, who followed in mom's footsteps and is a sophomore at Fordham.
A pregame brunch will be held for former players, donors, members of the Board of Trustees and President's Council Tognino Hall at Duane Library at 11:00 AM. Cost is $25. For more information on the brunch, contact Alex Morr at (212) 636-6489 or via e-mail morr@fordham.edu.
