Jan. 16, 2013
A-10 Women's Basketball Legends Bios
Atlantic 10 Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -
The Atlantic 10 Conference announced its Inaugural Women's Basketball Legends Wednesday. Consisting of a group of 16 former women's basketball student-athletes, the group is being recognized for their contributions to their institutions' basketball programs.
"I congratulate our inaugural class of Atlantic 10 Legends. These women have been instrumental in establishing the outstanding history of the A-10 women's basketball programs," stated Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. Individually each legend has become a role model for others as they competed and benefited from Title IX to elevate women's basketball within the A-10 and nationally. They are a credit to their institutions, the league and are deserving of this honor on behalf of the Atlantic 10 Conference. "
The Women's Basketball Legends will be honored on March 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., the morning of the 2013 A-10 Women's Basketball Championship finals. Each honoree will be recognized during an awards brunch in the 40/40 Club, beginning at 11 am.
Each institution selected its Legend. The group is made up entirely of former players, all of which began their careers in 1976 or later. They represent 10 states and one foreign country and there are six All-Americans and three academic All-Americans among the honorees.
From Fordham, legendary center Anne Gregory O'Connell will serve as a member of the inaugural class.
O'Connell was a force for the Rams during her time at Rose Hill, racking up an astounding 2,548 points and pulling down 1,999 rebounds from 1976-1980.
To this day, O'Connell's name ranks at the top of nearly every category in the Fordham record book. The Bronx native is first in Fordham history in points, rebounds (no Fordham player has reached even half her career total), field goals (982), field goal percentage (.568), free throws (584), rebounding average (15.7) and blocks (200). She also holds the Fordham single season record in five of these categories, including an outstanding 23.7 rebounds per game in her freshman year.
Playing her collegiate basketball before NCAA sponsorship of the sport began on the women's side in the 1981-1982 season, Gregory ranks first all-time in the pre-NCAA/AIAW career rebounding list and 24th on the career scoring list.
Prior to Courtney Paris of Oklahoma breaking the 2,000 rebound mark in 2009, O'Connell ranked as the leading rebounder in women's college basketball history.
O'Connell was also the first woman inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986, and in 2009, she watched her number raised to the rafters of the Rose Hill Gym as the first female athlete in Fordham history to have her number retired.
