Boston College Athletics
Al Skinner To Be Honored By Alma Mater
December 05, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2003
Boston College basketball coach and former University of Massachusetts hoop star Al Skinner will have his University of Massachusetts jersey retired in a halftime ceremony on Feb. 18, 2004, according to an announcement made by UMass interim athletic director Thorr Bjorn. Skinner wore #30 at Massachusetts.
Skinner, now in his seventh season as head coach at BC, was a three-year letterman at Massachusetts. He played 79 games for the Minutemen from 1971-74. He led the team in rebounding, minutes played and field-goal percentage in each of his three varsity seasons, while also leading the team in points twice (1972-73 and 1973-74).
Skinner still ranks on several UMass career lists, including field-goal percentage (third, .557), assists (ninth, 320), rebounding average (10th, 9.5 rpg) and points (16th; 1,235).
Skinner has already been inducted into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame.
"I am very honored and happy to be receiving this recognition, but this is not just an individual award," Skinner said. "I share this with my teammates. I am glad that our accomplishments have been able to withstand the test of time. I realize this is the highest honor that the University of Massachusetts can bestow upon a student-athlete. I again truly appreciate the recognition.?
Jack Leaman, who served as UMass' head coach throughout Skinner's collegiate career and who now serves as the color commentator on UMass basketball radio broadcasts, believes his former player deserves the honor.
"Retiring Al Skinner's number is long overdue," Leaman said. "Al was the premier frontcourt player of his era. He was and is a great leader both on and off the court."
UMass hosts the University of Rhode Island in the Mullins Center on Feb. 18.
