Siena University Athletics

March 16, 2004

The men's and women's basketball teams will again hold year-end banquets to celebrate their seasons and honor the members of their senior classes. The men's banquet will take place Thursday, April 22 at the Wolf Road Marriott beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception to be followed by dinner and awards ceremony. The women's banquet will be held Sunday April 25 beginning with a 4 p.m. reception at the Desmond Hotel in Colonie, followed by dinner and awards ceremony.

This year's festivities will be extra special as the senior members of each team have enjoyed tremendous success at Siena. The women's team earned a share of the MAAC regular-season championship for the fourth consecutive year this season, meaning the graduating seniors won a MAAC regular-season title every year-a first for any Siena basketball class men or women. The Siena men won 81 games the last four years (an average of over 20 per season), and advanced to both the NCAA (2002) and NIT (2003) Tournaments. The four-year graduating seniors also won a MAAC regular-season title (2001) and MAAC Tournament Championship (2002).

This year, the men's team again put together a memorable late-season run, winning eight of their final 10 games to advance to the semifinals of the MAAC Championship. The Saints finished with a 14-16 record, 9-9 in MAAC play. The Siena women ended the season with a 17-11 record after ending MAAC play 13-5.

Women's seniors Sherron Burgess, Shimrit Gigi, Liene Jansone, Jolene Johnston and Nathalie Marchino will be honored at the women's banquet. The men's senior class includes Manager Scott Randall, Administrative Assistant Jon Phelps and players Austin Andrews, Jamal Jackson and Justin Miller.

Both banquets are open to the general public--admission is $30 per person to each banquet. For more information please contact the Siena athletic department at 783-2450.