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Felisha Legette-Jack Makes History, Becomes First Woman To Have Jersey Retired at Syracuse
11/14/2021 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, NY – University at Buffalo head coach Felisha Legette-Jack made history on Sunday afternoon as she became the first female athlete in Syracuse Athletics history to have her jersey retired. She joined 15 men's basketball and six football standouts who have received this honor.
When she took off the Orange uniform for the final time in March 1989, Legette-Jack owned the Syracuse women's basketball career records for points, rebounds, field goals made and attempted, and free throws made and attempted. More than 30 years later she remains in the top 10 in career points, rebounds, and field goals made and attempted. The mark she made on the program is undeniable.
In her first year at Syracuse, Legette-Jack earned BIG EAST Conference Freshman of the Year honors after helping lead the Orange to their first BIG EAST Championship. An honorable mention All-American and All-BIG EAST First Team selection as a sophomore in 1985-86, Legette-Jack averaged a double-double with 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, leading the Orange to a 19-10 record, including a 12-4 mark in the BIG EAST. She followed that up by earning honorable mention All-America and All-BIG EAST Second Team honors following a junior season in which she averaged 13.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. After missing the 1987-88 season due to a knee injury she returned to the court and earned All-BIG EAST honors. She was one of 15 players named to the BIG EAST Conference Silver Anniversary Team in 2004. In 2011, Legette-Jack, who earned degrees in child and family studies and psychology, was named a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction.
Legette-Jack is one of four former Syracuse student-athletes who will be honored as impactful and influential figures in the world of sport during the 2021-22 academic year. Anna Goodale (rowing, 2002-05) and Katie Rowan Thomson (lacrosse, 2006-09) are the other two women, and Gary Gait (lacrosse, 1987-90) will also be recognized this year.
The jersey retirements are part of the year-long celebration of 50 Years of Syracuse University Women's Athletics. Special events and recognition of all female student-athletes who have donned the Block S to represent Syracuse University and the Athletics Department since 1971-72 are being held throughout the 2021-22 seasons. As we celebrate this history, we acknowledge those who have gone before us to set the standard we strive to achieve today so we can pave the way for the future. We reflect on the history of women in sport, admire their sacrifices, recognize their contributions and accomplishments, and honor their legacy.
Legette-Jack has accumulated a 178-107 overall record at Buffalo and became the all-time winningest coach in program history with the Bulls win at Kent State on January 25, 2020. She went over the 300 career win plateau with a win at Ohio on February 29, 2020 and currently owns a 319-270 career head coaching record across 19 seasons as head coach.
She has led UB to eight straight winning seasons for the first time since the Bulls joined the MAC in 1998-99. She helped guide the Bulls to a program record 29 wins in 2017-18 to go along with a program best 16 MAC victories. The Bulls have produced four 20+ win campaigns in the last six seasons are the only team in the MAC to win at least 19 games in six of the last seven campaigns. Buffalo has also recorded 10 or more MAC wins in six of the last eight seasons under Legette-Jack.
When she took off the Orange uniform for the final time in March 1989, Legette-Jack owned the Syracuse women's basketball career records for points, rebounds, field goals made and attempted, and free throws made and attempted. More than 30 years later she remains in the top 10 in career points, rebounds, and field goals made and attempted. The mark she made on the program is undeniable.
In her first year at Syracuse, Legette-Jack earned BIG EAST Conference Freshman of the Year honors after helping lead the Orange to their first BIG EAST Championship. An honorable mention All-American and All-BIG EAST First Team selection as a sophomore in 1985-86, Legette-Jack averaged a double-double with 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, leading the Orange to a 19-10 record, including a 12-4 mark in the BIG EAST. She followed that up by earning honorable mention All-America and All-BIG EAST Second Team honors following a junior season in which she averaged 13.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. After missing the 1987-88 season due to a knee injury she returned to the court and earned All-BIG EAST honors. She was one of 15 players named to the BIG EAST Conference Silver Anniversary Team in 2004. In 2011, Legette-Jack, who earned degrees in child and family studies and psychology, was named a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction.
Legette-Jack is one of four former Syracuse student-athletes who will be honored as impactful and influential figures in the world of sport during the 2021-22 academic year. Anna Goodale (rowing, 2002-05) and Katie Rowan Thomson (lacrosse, 2006-09) are the other two women, and Gary Gait (lacrosse, 1987-90) will also be recognized this year.
The jersey retirements are part of the year-long celebration of 50 Years of Syracuse University Women's Athletics. Special events and recognition of all female student-athletes who have donned the Block S to represent Syracuse University and the Athletics Department since 1971-72 are being held throughout the 2021-22 seasons. As we celebrate this history, we acknowledge those who have gone before us to set the standard we strive to achieve today so we can pave the way for the future. We reflect on the history of women in sport, admire their sacrifices, recognize their contributions and accomplishments, and honor their legacy.
Legette-Jack has accumulated a 178-107 overall record at Buffalo and became the all-time winningest coach in program history with the Bulls win at Kent State on January 25, 2020. She went over the 300 career win plateau with a win at Ohio on February 29, 2020 and currently owns a 319-270 career head coaching record across 19 seasons as head coach.
She has led UB to eight straight winning seasons for the first time since the Bulls joined the MAC in 1998-99. She helped guide the Bulls to a program record 29 wins in 2017-18 to go along with a program best 16 MAC victories. The Bulls have produced four 20+ win campaigns in the last six seasons are the only team in the MAC to win at least 19 games in six of the last seven campaigns. Buffalo has also recorded 10 or more MAC wins in six of the last eight seasons under Legette-Jack.
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