Gary Springer
Encyclopedia
Gary Springer, Sr. is a retired American
basketball player who is best known for his collegiate career at Iona College
between 1980–81
and 1983–84.
Springer grew up in Harlem, New York and attended Benjamin Franklin High School (BFHS). He played on a dominant basketball team with the likes of Richie Adams, Kenny Hutchinson and Lonnie Green, all of whom were jointly credited with making BFHS the country's top-ranked team in the fall of 1979. Walter Berry then joined the team one year later, making it possibly one of the greatest New York City high school teams of all time.
After high school, Springer played basketball at for the Iona Gaels. Springer went on to earn varsity letters all four years at the school and graduated as one of its most lauded players. He compiled 1,866 points and 1,021 rebounds in his 121-game career. Additionally, Springer was a three-time honorable mention All-American, a three-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
selection, a four-time All-Metropolitan Area choice, and as a freshman
in 1980–81
he was the Haggerty Award
winner. The annual award is bestowed upon the New York City metropolitan area's most outstanding men's college basketball player.
During one week in his freshman season, he recorded totals of 58 points, 23 rebounds, and made two game-winning shots. His first shot was a buzzer-beater to defeat Wagner, 82–80, followed by a 20-foot shot with six seconds remaining to defeat Holy Cross
, 57–56. For his efforts, Sports Illustrated
named him their national player of the week.
The Gaels also reached the postseason three out of his four seasons. They reached the first round in the 1982 NIT
, the second round in the 1983 NIT
, and the round of 48 in the 1984 NCAA Tournament
.
Springer has a son, Gary Jr., who also later starred at Iona in the mid-2000s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player who is best known for his collegiate career at Iona College
Iona College (New York)
Iona College is located in New Rochelle, New York, 20 miles north of Manhattan in suburban Westchester County. The college occupies 35 acres on North Ave. The college also operates a Graduate Center in Pearl River, Rockland County, New York....
between 1980–81
1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 28, 1980, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on March 30, 1981 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia...
and 1983–84.
Springer grew up in Harlem, New York and attended Benjamin Franklin High School (BFHS). He played on a dominant basketball team with the likes of Richie Adams, Kenny Hutchinson and Lonnie Green, all of whom were jointly credited with making BFHS the country's top-ranked team in the fall of 1979. Walter Berry then joined the team one year later, making it possibly one of the greatest New York City high school teams of all time.
After high school, Springer played basketball at for the Iona Gaels. Springer went on to earn varsity letters all four years at the school and graduated as one of its most lauded players. He compiled 1,866 points and 1,021 rebounds in his 121-game career. Additionally, Springer was a three-time honorable mention All-American, a three-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. MAAC teams compete in the NCAA's Division I. Most of the members are Catholic or formerly Catholic institutions; the only exception is the private but secular Rider...
selection, a four-time All-Metropolitan Area choice, and as a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
in 1980–81
1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 28, 1980, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on March 30, 1981 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia...
he was the Haggerty Award
Haggerty Award
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I men's college basketball player of the year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association...
winner. The annual award is bestowed upon the New York City metropolitan area's most outstanding men's college basketball player.
During one week in his freshman season, he recorded totals of 58 points, 23 rebounds, and made two game-winning shots. His first shot was a buzzer-beater to defeat Wagner, 82–80, followed by a 20-foot shot with six seconds remaining to defeat Holy Cross
Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball
The Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team represents the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I competition. The team competes in the Patriot League and plays their home games in the Hart Center...
, 57–56. For his efforts, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
named him their national player of the week.
The Gaels also reached the postseason three out of his four seasons. They reached the first round in the 1982 NIT
1982 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:...
, the second round in the 1983 NIT
1983 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:...
, and the round of 48 in the 1984 NCAA Tournament
1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 53 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 1984, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in Seattle, Washington. A total of...
.
Springer has a son, Gary Jr., who also later starred at Iona in the mid-2000s.