MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the initial members of the Mountaineer Legends Society for men's and women's basketball.

The 16 men's basketball members and five women's basketball members will make the initial entrance into the Mountaineer Legends Society, joining the 36 football legends, who were introduced last fall and are on display at Milan Puskar Stadium.

The 21 basketball members of the Mountaineer Legends Society are on display at the WVU Coliseum Gold Gate. Those members are: Leland Byrd (1946-48), Coach Gale Catlett (1979-2002), Floyd "Scotty" Hamilton (1941-43), Rod "Hot Rod" Hundley (1955-57), Greg Jones (1980-83), Lowes Moore (1977-80), Damian Owens (1995-98), Kevin Pittsnogle (2003-06), Coach Dyke Raese (1939-42), Wil Robinson (1970-72), Coach Fred Schaus (1955-60), Lloyd Sharrar (1956-58), Rod Thorn (1961-63), Jerry West (1958-60), Ron "Fritz" Williams (1966-68), Mark Workman (1950-52) from men's basketball and Coach Kittie Blakemore (1974-92), Olivia Bradley (1982-85), Rosemary Kosiorek (1989-92), Cathy Parson (1980-83) and Georgeann Wells (1983-86) from women's basketball.
 
The Mountaineer Legends Society serves as one of three ways the department can use to honor its past great student-athletes. The WVU Sports Hall of Fame serves as the first honor to recognize greatness in Mountaineer athletics. A former student-athlete must first be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame to be considered for the next step of recognition.

After induction into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, the second step to honor Mountaineer greatness is Legends Society distinction, if the student-athlete meets the criteria for his or her sport. Criteria for Legends Society status has been established for all 18 current varsity sports, along with former sports, so that each program can recognize its past great student-athletes.

The Mountaineer Legends Society program has replaced the retirement of a jersey honor, which had previously served as the second form of recognition. The ultimate honor for greatness in a Mountaineer uniform is still to have a number retired. Currently only three numbers in football and two in men's basketball have been retired.  

The department will determine the timeline for the remaining varsity sports in the future.

"We are pleased to announce the 21 basketball members of the Mountaineer Legends Society, joining the 36 members of our football program," Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. "This is another great avenue to honor our history and have these members on display at the Coliseum Gold Gate. Their accomplishments to West Virginia University are greatly appreciated."

A yearly review will determine if a sport has a student-athlete who qualifies for Legends Society status based on criteria set for that sport. If or when the athlete is inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame and the required sport criteria has been met during his or her career, admission into the Mountaineer Legends Society will be automatic.
 
Criteria
The individual must have demonstrated consistent and unique national excellence in
his/her collegiate career, his/her accomplishments must be significant on an individual and team basis and, in general, must have made a noteworthy contribution to the history of the athletic program.
 
The former student-athlete, coach, administrator or support staff member must first be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.
 
In addition, the individual, if a former student-athlete or coach, must meet at least one of the following milestones for his/her respective sport:
 
Men's Basketball

1. Wooden Trophy recipient
2. Inductee of the National Basketball Hall of Fame and/or College Basketball Hall of Fame
3. NCAA career statistical leader at completion of eligibility
4. Player with one or more first team All-America postseason honor (5)
5. Player who was selected for a conference postseason major award
6. Player who was selected national postseason player of the year (7)
7. Player who was selected for a major national postseason honor (7)
8. Player with multiple first-team All-Conference selections
9. An athlete/coach who has brought prominence to WVU and/or his/her sport as a member of an Olympic or International team or in the professional ranks
10. Coach with at least one National Championship (NCAA or NIT)
11. Coach with at least five conference (regular season or tournament, but not two (2) in same year) championships
12. Coach with at least one National Coach of the Year Award
13. Coach with multiple conference Coach of the Year Awards
14. Coach with at least 300 career WVU wins

 
Women's Basketball

1. Recipient of any of the national awards (8)
2. Player with one or more first team All-America postseason honor (6)
3. Player who was selected for a conference postseason major award
4. Player who was selected as national postseason player of the year (8)
5. Player with multiple first-team All-Conference selections
6. An athlete/coach who has brought prominence to WVU and/or his/her sport as a member of an Olympic or International team or in the professional ranks
7. Coach with at least one National Championship
8. Coach with at least five conference championships
9. Coach with at least one National Coach of the Year Award
10. Coach with multiple conference or district Coach of the Year Awards
11. Coach with at least 300 wins
12. Coach in national sports hall of fame for his/her respective sport

5 Men's basketball: Since 1950, Associated Press, John Wooden All-America Team, The Sporting News,
National Association of Basketball Coaches, United States Basketball Writers Association, NEA Service,
United Press International, Basketball Times, Lute Olson All-American Team, Senior Class All-American Team and Helms Foundation; Prior to 1950, Helms Foundation and NEA Service.
 
6 Women's basketball: Associated Press, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, United States Basketball Writers Association, Basketball Times, Senior Class All-American Team and John Wooden All-America Team.
 
7 Selected by John Wooden Foundation, AP, Naismith, Sporting News, National Association of Basketball
Coaches, and U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
 
8 Awards include Wade Trophy (women only), Nancy Lieberman Award (women's only) Naismith Trophy, Senior Class Award, John R. Wooden Award.
Men's Basketball (Initial Members of the Mountaineer Legends Society)

1. Leland Byrd (1946-48)
2. Coach Gale Catlett (1979-2002)
3. Floyd "Scotty" Hamilton (1941-43)
4. Rod "Hot Rod" Hundley (1955-57)
5. Greg Jones (1980-83)
6. Lowes Moore (1977-80)
7. Damian Owens (1995-98)
8. Kevin Pittsnogle (2003-06)
9. Coach Dyke Raese (1939-42)
10. Wil Robinson (1970-72)
11. Coach Fred Schaus (1955-60)
12. Lloyd Sharrar (1956-58)
13. Rod Thorn (1961-63)
14. Jerry West (1958-60)
15. Ron "Fritz" Williams (1966-68)
16. Mark Workman (1950-52)

 
Women's Basketball (Initial Members of the Mountaineer Legends Society)

1. Coach Kittie Blakemore (1974-92)
2. Olivia Bradley (1982-85)
3. Rosemary Kosiorek (1989-92)
4. Cathy Parson (1980-83)
5. Georgeann Wells (1983-86)

 
Football (Current members of the Mountaineer Legends Society)
1. Russ Bailey (1915-19)
2. Aaron Beasley (1992-95)
3. Paul Bischoff (1950-52)
4. Bruce Bosley (1952-55)
5. Rich Braham (1990-93)
6. Jim Braxton (1968-70)
7. Danny Buggs (1972-74)
8. Marc Bulger (1997-99)
9. Harry Clarke (1937-39)          
10. Mike Compton (1989-92)
11. Canute Curtis (1993-96)
12. Garrett Ford, Sr. (1965-67)
13. Fred Graham (1921-24)
14. Major Harris (1987-89)
15. Ken Herock (1960-62)
16. Jeff Hostetler (1982-83)
17. Chuck Howley (1955-57)
18. Sam Huff (1952-55)
19. Brian Jozwiak (1982-85)
20. Oliver Luck (1978-81)
21. Walter "Red" Mahan (1922-25)
22. Joe Marconi (1952-55)
23. Russ Meredith (1917, 1920-22)
24. Bob Orders (1952-53)
25. Bo Orlando (1985-88)
26. Ira Rodgers (1915-17, 1919)
27. Joe Stydahar (1933-35)
28. Darryl Talley (1979-82)
29. Grant Wiley (2000-03)
30. Paul Woodside (1981-84)
31. Tom Woodeshick (1960-62)
32. Fred Wyant (1952-55)
33. Amos Zereoue (1996-98)
34. Coach Don Nehlen (1980-2000)
35. Coach Bobby Bowden (1970-75)
36. Coach Clarence Spears (1921-24)