May 16, 2003

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Ed Pinckney, the Most Valuable Player in Villanova's 66-64 victory over Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA championship game, is returning to his alma mater as an assistant men's basketball coach, it was announced today.

"The Villanova basketball family is proud of Ed and excited to have him back on campus," stated head coach Jay Wright in making the announcement. "Ed is a Villanova legend and has distinguished himself in the community and in professional basketball since his graduation. His knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will be a great asset to our coaching staff as we continue to build our program."

Pinckney returns to the Main Line after a long career in the National Basketball Association. A No. 1 draft choice of the Phoenix Suns in 1985, Pinckney spent 12 years in the league as a player. Following his retirement in 1997, Pinckney joined the Heat as a radio and television analyst. This past season he also was named head of the Heat's mentoring program.

As a collegian, Pinckney was one of the finest players in Villanova history. A four-year starter from 1981-85, Pinckney scored 1,865 points (seventh most in school history) and collected 1,107 rebounds (fourth in school annals) over the course of his career. In that span the Wildcats were 11-3 in the NCAA Tournament, posted an overall record of 92-37 (.713), and captured the university's only NCAA title in an epic upset over the heavily favored Hoyas in Lexington, Ky.

Pinckney, 40, and his wife Rose Marie will be relocating to the Philadelphia region from their home in South Florida. The couple has four children: Shea (18); Spencer (14); Austin (11) and Andrea (9).

Pinckney fills the void on the men's basketball staff created when former assistant coach Joe Jones was named head coach at Columbia University last month.