The University of Akron Athletics
Zips to Honor Two Former Basketball Greats
February 14 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2006
Akron, Ohio - The University of Akron Zips Basketball Alumni weekend is set for on Saturday, February 25, 2006. Two former Zips basketball standouts, Eric McLaughlin (1986-89) and Larry Jenkins (1971-74), will have their jerseys honored and hung in the rafters of Rhodes Arena during halftime of the men's game versus Ohio, which is set to tip-off before a national television audience on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. EST. Two of the Zips most successful coaches, Russell Beichly and Tony Laterza will also have their names added to the Rhodes Arena Coaches Corners during the halftime ceremony.
McLaughlin was an All-American during the 1988-89 season when the Zips made a trip to the National Invitation Tournament. During his four seasons at Akron, the four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain guided the Zips to a combined record of 85-32, two NIT appearances, an Ohio Valley Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
McLaughlin still ranks among Akron's top performers all-time. He is the Zips' single-season (156) and all-time leader in assists (476), including 11 assists against Youngstown State (Jan. 21, 1989), which still stands as the most assists in a game at Rhodes Arena and the third-best single-game total in program history. He also ranks third all-time with 1,810 points and 177 career steals. His 631 points in 1988-89 stands as the fourth best single-season total.
Jenkins, a four-time letterwinner and captain of the 1973-74 squad, was named an All-American for his play in the 1970-71 season as a freshman. During his career at Akron, the Zips went a combined 86-22 while making three-straight appearances in the NCAA College Division tournament, including the national runner-up finish in 1972, falling to Roanoke in the championship game. In 1973-74, Jenkins led the team in scoring (15.9) and assists (5.0).
Jenkins held the record for highest field-goal percentage by a freshman (.535/130-243) until Jeremiah Wood broke that record in 2003-04 (.586/109-186). His 119 assists ranks second all-time by a junior and seventh for a single-season. Jenkins also ranks 28th all-time with 1,086 points in his career and 11th with 234 assists, despite never getting 10 or more in a single game.
Beichly is Akron's all-time winningest coach, compiling a 286-146 record in 19 seasons. The 1959 Ohio Coach of the Year led the Zips to the NCAA College Division Tournament in 1958 and the NAIA Tournament in 1943. He guided the program to five Ohio Athletic Conference championships and one OAC tournament championship.
Laterza amassed a 178-59 mark in nine season as coach of the Zips. The second winningest coach in school history, he guided the program to four NCAA College Division Tournament appearances and a national runner-up finish in 1964. His 1965 and '66 teams were OAC champs.
There will be a full day of activities planned for alumni, highlighted by the alumni game in Memorial Hall. This event is open to all students, fans, family and friends. The cost for the alumni event is $20 per person with all participantes receiving a complimentary gift from Zips men's basketball.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased by contacting the Zips
Ticket Office at 1-888-99-AKRON. To RSVP for the alumni events, or
if you have any questions regarding the day's alumni activities,
please contact assistant director of develeopment Gary Bogue at
(330) 972-8641 or e-mail at gbogue@uakron.edu. If you are planning
to play in the alumni game itself, please indicate so at the time
of your reservation.
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