Temple University Athletics
Philadelphia Big 5 to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with Palestra Doubleheader
1.18.16 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Big 5 turns 60 this year so what better way to celebrate its anniversary than a classic doubleheader at The Palestra.Â
Temple will take on La Salle in the first game of this Wednesday's doubleheader at 7:00 pm with Saint Joseph's and Penn taking the court for the nightcap.Â
"The Big 5 is a unique league that is part of the fabric of Philadelphia sports lore," said Temple's Fran Dunphy, the only person to serve as head coach at two Big 5 schools. "I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this tremendous organization as a player, assistant coach and head coach at three different schools. The rivalries are intense, but the friendships forged through the competition are just as strong. There is nothing like it."
During timeouts of the two games, former players from each school representing the six decades of the Big 5's existence will be introduced to the expected sellout crowd.
Temple will be represented by the following six standout players:
1950s: Jay Norman (1955-58): Jay Norman was a starter on the Owls' two NCAA Final Four teams, scoring 1,024 points (11.5 ppg,) and grabbing 1,006 career rebounds (11.4 rpg.). The Big 5 Hall of Famer starred in the Eastern League before serving as an assistant coach at Temple from 1968-89 under Harry Litwack, Don Casey and John Chaney.
1960s: John Baum (1966-69): John Baum was a three-year starter for the Owls and captained the 1968-69 team to the NIT Championship. The Big 5 Hall of Famer scored 1,544 points (17.9 ppg.) and grabbed 1,042 rebounds (12.1 rpg.) in his three-year career. He was selected in the second round of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and played two seasons wth the team and three more in the ABA.
1970s: Ollie Johnson (1969-72): Ollie Johnson led Temple in scoring and rebounding his junior and senior years, finishing his career with 1,063 points (12.8 ppg.) and 839 rebounds (10.1 rpg.). The Big 5 Hall of Famer was selected in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft and spent nine season in the league.
1980s: Mark Macon (1987-91): Mark Macon was a four-year starter and one of only four players to have his number (#12) retired. The Big 5 Hall of Famer scored a school record 2,609 points (20.7 ppg.), pulled down 700 rebounds (5.6 rpg.) and made a then record 281 steals (2.2 spg.). The All-American led Temple to its only #1 national ranking and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances. The 1991 first round NBA draft pick played six seasons in the league.
1990s: Aaron McKie (1991-94): Aaron McKie finished his three-year career sixth on the Temple all-time scoring list with 1,650 points (17.9 ppg.) while starting all 92 games. The honorable mention All-American helped lead the Owls to the 1993 Elite Eight. The Big 5 Hall of Famer was selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by Portland and played 13 seasons in the league, earning NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the 76ers in 2001. He is currently in his second season as an assistant coach at Temple.
2000s: Lynn Greer (1997-02): Lynn Greer is one of only four Temple players to score over 2000 career points, ranking second at the school with 2,099 (15.3 ppg.). An incredible shooter, he ranks second all-time with 305 three-pointers made while owning the school free throw percentage record (85.2%). The 2002 Big 5 MVP led Temple to two Elite Eight appearances. He played more than a decade overseas while spending one season with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks (2006-07).    Â
Representing the other four Big 5 schools will be:
La Salle: Charlie Greenberg, Frank Corace, Jim Crawford, Lionel Simmons, Doug Overton, Yves McKongo
Penn: Ernie Beck, Stan Pawlak, Corky Calhoun, Paul Little, Ira Bowman, Ibrahim Jaaber
Saint Joseph's: Joe Spratt, Clifford Anderson, Pat McFarland, Rodney Blake, Rashid Bey, Marvin O'Connor
Villanova: Jim Huggard, Jim McMonagle, Keith Herron, Harold Jensen, Alvin Williams, JayVaughn Pinkston
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Temple will take on La Salle in the first game of this Wednesday's doubleheader at 7:00 pm with Saint Joseph's and Penn taking the court for the nightcap.Â
"The Big 5 is a unique league that is part of the fabric of Philadelphia sports lore," said Temple's Fran Dunphy, the only person to serve as head coach at two Big 5 schools. "I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this tremendous organization as a player, assistant coach and head coach at three different schools. The rivalries are intense, but the friendships forged through the competition are just as strong. There is nothing like it."
During timeouts of the two games, former players from each school representing the six decades of the Big 5's existence will be introduced to the expected sellout crowd.
Temple will be represented by the following six standout players:
1950s: Jay Norman (1955-58): Jay Norman was a starter on the Owls' two NCAA Final Four teams, scoring 1,024 points (11.5 ppg,) and grabbing 1,006 career rebounds (11.4 rpg.). The Big 5 Hall of Famer starred in the Eastern League before serving as an assistant coach at Temple from 1968-89 under Harry Litwack, Don Casey and John Chaney.
1960s: John Baum (1966-69): John Baum was a three-year starter for the Owls and captained the 1968-69 team to the NIT Championship. The Big 5 Hall of Famer scored 1,544 points (17.9 ppg.) and grabbed 1,042 rebounds (12.1 rpg.) in his three-year career. He was selected in the second round of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and played two seasons wth the team and three more in the ABA.
1970s: Ollie Johnson (1969-72): Ollie Johnson led Temple in scoring and rebounding his junior and senior years, finishing his career with 1,063 points (12.8 ppg.) and 839 rebounds (10.1 rpg.). The Big 5 Hall of Famer was selected in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft and spent nine season in the league.
1980s: Mark Macon (1987-91): Mark Macon was a four-year starter and one of only four players to have his number (#12) retired. The Big 5 Hall of Famer scored a school record 2,609 points (20.7 ppg.), pulled down 700 rebounds (5.6 rpg.) and made a then record 281 steals (2.2 spg.). The All-American led Temple to its only #1 national ranking and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances. The 1991 first round NBA draft pick played six seasons in the league.
1990s: Aaron McKie (1991-94): Aaron McKie finished his three-year career sixth on the Temple all-time scoring list with 1,650 points (17.9 ppg.) while starting all 92 games. The honorable mention All-American helped lead the Owls to the 1993 Elite Eight. The Big 5 Hall of Famer was selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by Portland and played 13 seasons in the league, earning NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the 76ers in 2001. He is currently in his second season as an assistant coach at Temple.
2000s: Lynn Greer (1997-02): Lynn Greer is one of only four Temple players to score over 2000 career points, ranking second at the school with 2,099 (15.3 ppg.). An incredible shooter, he ranks second all-time with 305 three-pointers made while owning the school free throw percentage record (85.2%). The 2002 Big 5 MVP led Temple to two Elite Eight appearances. He played more than a decade overseas while spending one season with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks (2006-07).    Â
Representing the other four Big 5 schools will be:
La Salle: Charlie Greenberg, Frank Corace, Jim Crawford, Lionel Simmons, Doug Overton, Yves McKongo
Penn: Ernie Beck, Stan Pawlak, Corky Calhoun, Paul Little, Ira Bowman, Ibrahim Jaaber
Saint Joseph's: Joe Spratt, Clifford Anderson, Pat McFarland, Rodney Blake, Rashid Bey, Marvin O'Connor
Villanova: Jim Huggard, Jim McMonagle, Keith Herron, Harold Jensen, Alvin Williams, JayVaughn Pinkston
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