WASHINGTON – The BIG EAST Conference announced the creation of the BIG EAST Basketball Legends Recognition Program. Each of the Conference's 11 member schools were tasked with selecting a former prominent coach or player from both their men's and women's programs to be honored at the upcoming BIG EAST Tournaments.  The program will be conducted annually.

On the men's side, Georgetown selected Reggie Williams to be honored. Williams was one of the prime contributors to Georgetown's reign of success in the mid-80s. The smooth forward helped the Hoyas to a 51-13 regular season record during his four seasons, three BIG EAST Tournament titles and a national championship in 1984. He capped his collegiate career as a senior by being named BIG EAST Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player in the BIG EAST Tournament. He is still third on the school's all-time scoring list with 2,117 points.

For the women, GU selected Kris Witfill as the inaugural Legend. A member of the 2011 Georgetown Hall of Fame, Witfill is GU's third all-time scoring leader with 1,885 points. A three-time all-BIG EAST selection and the BIG EAST Player of the Year in her final season, Witfill co-led her team in 1993 to the regular season conference title and to the NCAA Sweet 16. She remains among the all-time conference leaders in points, scoring average, free throws, and steals.

Women's basketball Legends will be recognized during the BIG EAST Tournament Quarterfinals on March 9 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Men's basketball Legends will be honored during the BIG EAST Tournament Quarterfinals on March 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

"We are excited to launch this annual celebration of former players and coaches who have had profound impacts on the history and success of our 22 basketball programs," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "This first group of BIG EAST Legends includes trailblazers as well as more recent stars, all of whom have contributed significantly to their schools and many of whom are part of BIG EAST basketball lore.  We look forward to giving them another big round of applause during our upcoming tournament festivities."

The first class of BIG EAST Men's Basketball Legends includes: Butler's Shelvin Mack (2008-11), UConn's Chris Smith (1988-92), Creighton's Randy Eccker (1974-78), DePaul's Wilson Chandler (2005-07), Georgetown's Reggie Williams (1983-87), Marquette's Jerel McNeal (2005-09), Providence's Ernie DiGregorio (1969-73), St. John's Marcus Hatten (2001-03), Seton Hall's Terry Dehere (1989-93), Villanova's Randy Foye (2002-06), and Xavier's J.P. Macura (2014-18).

The premier class of BIG EAST Women's Basketball Legends are: Butler's Julie VonDielingen Shelton (1989-93), UConn's Laura Lishness (1987-91), Creighton's Marissa Janning Murphy (2012-17), DePaul's Khara Smith (2002-06), Georgetown's Kris Witfill (1989-93), Marquette's Allazia Blockton (2015-19), Providence's Kathy Finn Hill (1980-84), St. John's Debbie Beckford (1979-83), Seton Hall's Jodi Brooks (1990-94), Villanova's Harry Perretta (1978-2020), and Xavier's Ta'Shia Phillips (2007-11).

Included in the list of honorees are seven former conference players of the year, a four-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year, six All-Americans, an all-time program scoring leader and two all-time school rebounding leaders.