The basketball court at the historic College Ave Gym, affectionately referred to as “The Barn,” will be named in honor of former Rutgers co-captain and hall of Famer Jim Valvano. The recognition was announced last night when the Rutgers University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and The V Foundation honored the 1966-67 men’s basketball team at a dinner at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, with all net proceeds going to The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Many members of the squad were in attendance, including Bob Lloyd, who was captain of the team with Valvano before later serving as Chairman of the Board for The V Foundation for 21 years.
“That’s where Jim and I spent a lot of time,” Lloyd to told Gannett NJ. “That’s where there was a lot of blood, sweat and tears. For that to be the Jimmy V court is appropriate. It’s just great. For the University to do that is fantastic. I’m very proud of my university.”
Lloyd and Valvano both exceeded 1,000 career points and were inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame. A new mural depicting the basketball inductees adorns the walls of the RAC lobby. The mural is “In Memory of James Valvano” and is “Given by roommate, teammate and friend Bob Lloyd.” Jimmy V’s signature phrase, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up,” which was uttered during his unforgettable 1993 ESPY speech, is prominent. The most recent men’s basketball inductee is Dick Lloyd, Bob’s brother, who served as an assistant coach on the 1966-67 squad under head coach Bill Foster.
The 1966-67 Rutgers men’s basketball team posted a 22-7 record and placed third in the National Invitation Tournament. Seventeen of the team’s wins were by double digits. Lloyd and Valvano formed the backcourt, with Lloyd becoming the Scarlet Knights’ first consensus All-American that season en route to having his jersey retired with 2,045 career points. Known as “Mr. Defense,” Valvano scored 1,122 points before beginning his career as an assistant and freshman coach at Rutgers.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and Valvano. Since 1993, The V Foundation has awarded more than $150 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations directly to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by the Foundation’s endowment. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a scientific advisory board. For more information on The V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org or call 1-800-4JimmyV.
Rutgers alum, former football player and current RU radio analyst Eric LeGrand received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2014 ESPY’s.
http://www.scarletknights.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/120515aaa.html
