JU BASKETBALL CELEBRATED WITH REUNION OF 1970 TEAM
is third on the all-time scoring list at JU with more than 1,900 points while Colbert is 14th
ON FEBRUARY 12,
with more than 1,400 points.
the JU basketball family was
reunited with a celebration of JU Basketball at the While he put up a ton of points, Smith’s
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. More than 500
name is already littered throughout the JU
people were in attendance as JU recognized all of
record books.
the former players, coaches and staff that made JU
He leaves
basketball a staple in the city of Jacksonville.
JU as the
The highlight of the evening was the reunion of the
all-time
1970 team on the 40th anniversary of its epic run to the
leader
national title game. Each member of the team was given
in steals,
a championship ring in honor of this achievement, with
assists,
former director of athletics Dr. Judson Harris handing
games played
them out to the players and coaches.
and minutes played along with
Former head coach Joe Williams talked about the run
being second on the
the Dolphins made in 1970, with highlights from their
all-time 3-pointers made list.
wins over Kentucky and St. Bonaventure in the NCAA Tournament being shown.
Colbert meanwhile has grabbed more than 700 rebounds in his career and ranks
A host of JU basketball legends attended the event, includ-
11th on the JU all-time list.
ing Roger Strickland, Rex Morgan and Artis Gilmore.
“YOU LOOK AT THE BODY OF WORK
“To have so many former Dolphins back together
THAT THESE TWO YOUNG MEN HAVE
brought back a lot of good memories for everyone who
ACCOMPLISHED DURING THEIR
came,” said JU Director of Athletics Alan Verlander. “To
CAREERS AND YOU HAVE TO BE
honor a group as accomplished as the 1970 team was
AMAZED,” SAID WARREN. “I’M
long overdue and that was a special moment for me.”
FOREVER INDEBTED TO THESE YOUNG MEN FOR TAKING A CHANCE ON OUR PROGRAM FOUR YEARS AGO.” While the ultimate goal was a trip to the NCAA Tournament, this year’s team broke through in the postseason and accomplished a great deal to rebuild the foundation of JU basketball, creating excitement and anticipation of bigger and better things in the future.
WARREN
WILLIAMS