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May 28, 2009

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Former St. Bonaventure men's basketball player and head coach Jim Baron '77 will be inducted into the St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall Of Fame on Saturday, June 6 at 2 p.m. on Bob Lanier Court in the Reilly Center.

Baron will be the fourth member of the 2009 class and the 110th member of the Athletics Hall Of Fame. Anna Belliveau `99, Jean Pascal Gingras `98, and Father Gerald T. McCaffrey O.F.M. `54 were inducted in February.

Presenting Baron will be former teammate and fellow 1977 graduate Essie Hollis, Baron's son Jimmy Baron and former St. Bonaventure sports information director Jim Engelhardt.

The induction is free and open to the public. A reception will be held in the Hall Of Fame Room in the Reilly Center immediately after the ceremony.

One of the most influential figures in St. Bonaventure basketball history, Baron earned respect with his blue collar work ethic and winning attitude as a player and coach. A hard-nosed, defensive-minded guard, Baron made his initial mark on the Brown and White faithful as a player from 1973-1977, during which he led the Bonnies to a 73-28 record. As a senior co-captain and the team's starting point guard, Baron led the Bonnies to one of the most magical seasons in school history that included 24 wins and a 1977 NIT Championship. Also an excellent student, Baron was named the Ideal St. Bonaventure Student in 1977 and received the General Excellence Medal in Physical Education the very same year.

Baron returned to St. Bonaventure in 1992, this time as the head coach, looking to lead his alma mater back to national prominence. A disciplined, well-respected coach, Baron did exactly that, leading the Bonnies to an NIT berth in just his third season in 1995, earning Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors along the way. His most successful season came in 1999-2000, when he led St. Bonaventure to 21-10 record, a second place finish in the A-10 Tournament and the school's first NCAA Tournament berth in 22 years. Overall, Baron finished his nine seasons as the leader of the Brown and White with 132 victories, three NIT appearances and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Baron moved on to fellow A-10 member Rhode Island in 2001, where he has continued to have success, leading the Rams to four NIT appearances and four 20-win seasons. The Rams have posted 131 wins over his time in Kingston, R.I., while Baron has captured three more A-10 Coach of the Year honors, including this past season.

June 5-7 is Alumni Weekend on the campus of St. Bonaventure University. The event was originally scheduled to be held at the Quick Arts Center, but was moved to Bob Lanier Court. A large number of former St. Bonaventure players and assistant coaches will be in attendance.