University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass To Retire Al Skinner's Jersey
December 05, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2003
A Tribute to Al Skinner planned for February 18
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts interim athletic director Thorr Bjorn has announced that the school will retire the jersey of former men's basketball star Al Skinner. Ceremonies will take place at halftime of the February 18, 2004, game between UMass and Rhode Island, when Skinner's jersey No. 30 will be officially retired.
"I am very honored and happy to be receiving this recognition, but this is not just an individual award," said Skinner. "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."
A three-time letterwinner in basketball at UMass, Skinner led the team in rebounding from 1971-1974, totaling 749 rebounds. He set a school record for highest career field goal percentage at UMass (.557), and held the single season record (.620) for nearly 20 years. Skinner was a three-time first-team All-Yankee Conference selection, and helped UMass to two Yankee Conference titles. He also led the league in scoring in 1974, averaging 18.7 points per game, and became only the eighth player in school history to join the 1,000-point club, finishing his career with 1,235 points. Skinner was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.
Upon completion of his UMass career, Skinner went on to play with the New York Nets in the American Basketball Association, and was a member of their 1976 ABA championship team. When the Nets joined the National Basketball Association the next year, Skinner was named team captain and Players' Association representative. After spending a season with the Detroit Pistons, Skinner returned to the Nets in 1978 and then played for the Philadelphia 76ers. Skinner also played in Barcelona, Spain, and led his team to a European championship.
Following the completion of his professional career, Skinner went into coaching. He served as the head coach at the University of Rhode Island from 1988-1997, posting a record of 138-126 with two NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1997, Skinner has served as the head coach at Boston College, posting a record of 103-85 with two NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named 1992 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, 2001 Big East Coach of the Year, and 2001 National Coach of the Year.
Skinner and his wife Donna reside in Wellesley, Mass., with their two children, Vaniecia (12) and Andre (11).
"Retiring Al Skinner's number is long overdue," said Jack Leaman, who served as UMass' head coach throughout Skinner's collegiate career, and is currently the color commentator on radio broadcasts of UMass basketball games. "Al was the premier front court player of his era. He was and is a great leader both on and off the court."