Providence College Athletics

Jamel Thomas Named Finalist for Chip Hilton Award

6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

March 25, 1999

PROVIDENCE, R.I.- Providence College baseketball standout JAMEL THOMAS (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) has been chosen as one of six finalists for the prestigious Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award that will be co-presented by Chip Hilton Sports and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The award is given to a player who has demonstrated personal character both on and off the court.

The award is given in recognition of a college player who meet the competitive and ethical standards that were the theme of the 23-book Chip Hilton series authored by legendary coach Clair Bee, whose lifetime winning percentage at Long Island University (.826) is still the best in major college coaching history.

Along with Thomas the other five candidates are:
James "Scoonie" Penn - Ohio State
Todd MacCulloch - University of Washington
Tim Hill - Harvard
Roberto Bergersen - Boise State
Mark Madsen - Stanford

Following his junior season, Thomas contemplated putting his name in the NBA Draft. Instead, he returned to Providence and closed out his career leading the BIG EAST in scoring with a 22.1 average which placed him 12th in the nation. A First Team All-BIG EAST selection, Thomas finished his PC career ranked third on the all-time scoring list with 1,971 points. Over he past two seasons, he has carried the Friars on his back, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. A two-year captain of the Friars, Thomas will graduate in May to become the first member of his family to receive a college degree.

Now in its third year, the award will be announced on Monday, April 5th along with the Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award and presented on Saturday, May 22nd at the Basketball Hall of Fame's College Awards Day in Springfield, Massachusetts. The six finalists will be judged on the following criteria: athletic skill, excellence of effort, fair competition, team spirit, personal discipline, respect of university and athletic authority, personal integrity, service to others, team leadership and accountability to family, coaches and the university.

Wake Forest's Tim Duncan won the first Chip Hilton Award in 1997 and Navy's Hassan Booker was the 1998 winner.

The two awards were created by Chip Hilton Sports and the NCAA Foundation in 1996 to promote the positive character in the sport of basketball, a game which the legendary Bee had a great impact as a coach, administrator, innovator and teacher.

Related News

Skip Ad
All News
Ryan Mela I'm Back Ryan Mela screaming in game action, Guard, Natick, Massachusetts, Friartown, I've got some unfinished business here. There is nowhere else I would rather be. PC is home for me. This program and its fans are very special. I want to help bring a championship to Friartown. Go Friars!
Sophomore Ryan Mela To Return To Friartown
Thursday, April 02
Steve Napolillo, Fr. Sicard and new head men's basketball coach Bryan Hodgson hold a number one Hodgson jersey on stage at Bryan Hodgson's introductory press conference.
Bryan Hodgson Meets The Providence College Community In Introductory Press Conference
Tuesday, March 24
Bryan Hodgson Introductory Press Conference, Men's Basketball Head Coach, When? Tuesday, March 24, 3pm, Where? Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium, Friar Logo, Bryan Hodgson in Friar Quarter zip coaching during a game
Providence College To Hold Introduction Of New Men’s Basketball Coach
Monday, March 23
Welcome to Friartown New Men's Basketball Coach Bryan Hodgson Graphic
Bryan Hodgson Named Providence Men’s Basketball Coach
Sunday, March 22
All News
Skip Ad

Related Videos

Skip Ad
All Videos
Men's Basketball Exhibition vs. Harvard
Saturday, October 25
2018-2019 Men's Basketball Highlight Video
Saturday, April 13
All Videos