Nov. 6, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced today that Providence College will honor one of its greatest backcourt players of all-time on Saturday, February 21 at the men's basketball game versus Notre Dame at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The College will honor John Egan '61 by unveiling a banner in the rafters of the Dunkin' Donuts Center with his name and his number 34.

Egan will become the fifth player, and seventh member of the Friar basketball family, to be honored as part of the Friar Legends Forever Tradition. The Friar Legends Forever Tradition began in 1996. To earn the honor, the player or coach must have made a significant impact on Friar basketball and he must have received national recognition during his career at Providence. Lenny Wilkens '60 was the first PC player to have his number retired in 1996. In 2007, the College honored former coaches Joe Mullaney and Dave Gavitt. Last season, Jimmy Walker '67, Marvin Barnes '74 and Ernie DiGregorio '73 had their numbers retired.

Egan played the point guard and shooting guard positions during his four years at Providence. As a senior, he averaged 18.8 points per game and earned Second Team All-America honors. Also during his senior season, Egan helped lead the Friars to their first NIT title. A native of Weaver, Conn., he earned NIT All-Tournament Team honors in 1959 and 1961. Also during his career as a Friar, Egan earned three NABC All-District I First Team honors (1959-61), two All-New England accolades (1959 and 1961) and two AP Honorable Mention All-America awards (1959 and 1961). In his three seasons of varsity basketball (freshman were not eligible to participate), he averaged 17.9 points per game (1,434 points), while shooting 42.7 percent from the field. Egan recorded an impressive 20.9 ppg as a sophomore. Egan was selected 12th in the 1961 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He played 11 seasons in the NBA and averaged 7.8 ppg.

Fans interested in attending the game, may purchase tickets to the game by calling the Providence College Ticket Office at 401-865-GO PC.