F&M to Celebrate 100 Seasons of Men's Basketball on February 15

by Sports Information
1/31/03

LANCASTER, PA - Franklin & Marshall College will celebrate 100 seasons of basketball at the College on February 15 during a men and women's doubleheader with Haverford College.

Beginning at 11 a.m. with the women's alumni basketball game, the day will include the men's alumni game at noon followed by tip-off of the women's varsity game versus Haverford at 2:00 p.m.

At halftime of the women's contest, the women's basketball All-Era teams of the periods 1975-1982, 1983-1992 and 1993-2002 will be introduced.

The men's game will begin at 4:00 p.m., with the men's basketball All-Era teams slated to be announced during halftime for the periods of 1900-1952, 1953-1962, 1963-1972, 1973-1982, 1983-1992 and 1993-2002.

The dates for the All-Era teams were based off 10-year increments dating back from the conclusion of the 2002 season, the last complete season in F&M basketball. A committee made selections to the teams based on statistical information, individual accolades, team championships and recommendations from fans, coaches and administrators.

Immediately following the men's game, the College will announce the All-Time teams in both women's and men's basketball, will recognize every championship and NCAA qualifying team in the history of the sport at the College and will acknowledge the staff, coaches and personnel who have made basketball a staple at the College.

In addition, a special program, commemorative items and memorabilia will be available to the general public. A post-game reception will follow the event in the lobby of the Roschel Performing Arts Center.

One of the most successful men's intercollegiate basketball programs in history, with a 1,089-777 record (58.3 winning percentage) through games of January 30th, including a 16-2 mark and a #15 national ranking so far this year.

Franklin & Marshall College first played a basketball game on January 20, 1900 falling to Millersville (University) Normal School 23-8. The program won its first game on February 19, 1903 at home in a 47-9 rout of Gettysburg College.

Last season, F&M completed the season with a 24-5 record as it marked the 12th time in the last 24 years that F&M has won 24 or more games in a season, as the blue and white tallied 24 or more wins in 1979, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96 and 2000 prior to the 2002 team.

Leading the Diplomats in 2003 is 32-year coach Glenn Robinson. The 1991 Basketball Times Division III "Coach of the Year" and 11 time conference and NABC regional "Coach of the Year", he is only the fourth coach in the history of NCAA Division III to record 600 career wins.

On the Division III level, Robinson is the active wins leader with a 639-228 record (73.7 winning percentage), well ahead of runner-up Jim Smith (612-408) of St. John's College in Minnesota. Only Dick Sauers (702) of Albany and Illinois Wesleyan's Dennie Bridges (666) have won more games than Robinson has accumulated.

In terms of regular season and NCAA Tournament success, few coaches in the history of college basketball can match Robinson's success. Seventeen 20 win seasons, including 10 from 1987 to 1996, eighteen NCAA Division III Tournament bids, including 13 in the last 16 years and 11 consecutive years from 1986 to 1996. Further, he has led the Diplomats to four appearances in the Final Four and a national title game appearance in 1991. Under Robinson, F&M has earned 24 conference playoff berths, including 16 in the last 17 years, and 13 playoff titles, with eight in the last 13 years.

The owner of a 203-79 combined record in the Middle Atlantic and Centennial Conferences, Robinson has witnessed some of the best players in the program's history.

Historically, 25 men's players have reached 1,000 points led by All-America selection Don Marsh '79 with 1,695 points, who also leads the College in steals with 442. In rebounding, Gus Lovett '53 tops the list with 1,161, while Bob Manaskie '79 is the College's all-time assists leader with 927.

In blocked shots, center Steve Juskin (Jr., East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) tops the list with 168, 65 more than former leader and two-time All-America selection Chris Finch '92.

Historically, the men's basketball has recorded 19 All-Americans, including three first team (Will Lasky - 1992, Jeremiah Henry - 1996, Alex Kraft - 2000), five second team (Don Marsh - 1977 & 1979, Dennis Westley - 1981, Brad Markey - 1989, Dave Jannetta - 1995), two third team (Terry Scott - 1988, Dave Jannetta - 1995) and nine honorable mention (Phil Hoeker - 1989, Will Lasky - 1991, Chris Finch - 1991 & 1992, Charlie Detz - 1994 & 1995, Dave Jannetta - 1994, Mike Mehaffey - 1996, Alex Kraft - 2001). Further, F&M players have garnered Conference Player of the Year honors 12 times (Don Marsh - 1976, 1977 & 1979, Terry Scott - 1987, Brad Markey - 1989, Will Lasky - 1991, Chris Finch - 1992, Dave Jannetta - 1994 & 1995, Jeremiah Henry - 1996, Alex Kraft - 2000 & 2001), while the team has earned three Verizon/GTE Academic All-America awards (Jerome Maiatico - 1998, 1999 & 2000).

Women's basketball gained varsity status at Franklin & Marshall in 1974. During the initial five seasons of competition, the Diplomats finished with .500 or better records as the program matured through its early stages.

Since 1984, the Diplomats have emerged as conference, regional and national contenders. Franklin & Marshall's teams captured the section championships within its conference for seven straight years (1986-87 to 1992-93). In addition, F&M squads extended outstanding seasons in seven of the last eleven seasons by gaining bids to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III or ECAC Division III South championship tournaments. Franklin & Marshall's best finish was in 1988 when the Diplomats advanced to the "Elite Eight" with a 25-4 record as the program holds an all-time record of 404-295 (57.8 winning percentage).

In the history of the program, three players have earned All-America honors (Anne Krumrine - 1989, Carrie Bowen - 1993, Amy Kreitz - 2001, 2002) while four have earned Conference Player of the Year honors (Anne Krumrine - 1989, Cathy Belser - 1990, Carrie Bowen - 1992 & 1993, Amy Kreitz - 2001).

For more information, contact Edward Haas, Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs and Communications, at 717-291-3838, or Ann Phelan, Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Events, at 717-291-4950.