University of Richmond Athletics
Beckwith, Oliver Honored As Atlantic 10 Legends
01/19/2017 | Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball
Established in 2013, the Legends program recognizes men's and women's basketball student-athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on their respective basketball programs and institutions. This year marks the fifth class the Atlantic 10 has inducted. Each year, A-10 member institutions select their two Legends. Previous honorees have included Basketball Hall of Fame members, national champions, Olympians, and professional players.
Oliver finished her decorated four-year career as Richmond's seventh all-time leading scorer (1,488
points). The Roanoke, Va. native earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors as a senior and the Sixth Player of the Year Award as a sophomore. As a senior, she led the A-10 in scoring at 16.5 points per game and was the nation's best free throw shooter (94%). Oliver finished her career fourth in three-point field goals (152), second in games played (129), eighth in free throws made (296) and ninth in field goals made (519) in program history. Her 85.1% career free throw percentage is second at Richmond only to the late Ginny Doyle (85.4%). Oliver amassed 72 career double-figure scoring games, including 28 as a senior, when she scored a career high 28 points against Dayton. The Spiders won 85 games during her four seasons, including three appearance in the WNIT. She was a two-time captain. Following her Richmond career, Oliver played professionally in Israel.
The Women's Basketball Legends will be saluted with a breakfast on Friday, March 3 prior to the 2017 A-10 Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals. The event will take place at the Richmond Marriott beginning at 8:00 a.m.
The lightning quick ball-handler, Beckwith finished his career as the Spiders' all-time leader in assists (573) and steals (227). He remains the Spiders' single-game, season and career assist leader, including the top two marks for assists in a game and season, dishing 16 dimes in a game against Navy in 1986. He also owns the second and third best single-season steals records. Beckwith led the Spiders to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1983-84, including a first-round win over Charles Barkley and Auburn, and again in 1985-86. He dished 38 assists in four career NCAA Tournament games, a 9.5 assist per game average. A Second Team All-Conference and All-State selection in 1985-86, Beckwith twice earned Richmond's Most Improved Player (1983-84 and 1985-86). Beckwith earned one of the most prestigious awards bestowed upon a Richmond basketball player - the Kevin Eastman Award. He was inducted into the University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Fayette County (PA) Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
Currently, Beckwith provides analysis for Spider men's basketball TV and radio broadcasts.
The Men's Basketball Legends will be honored on Saturday, March 11 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa., prior to the 2017 Men's Basketball Championship semifinals. The celebration awards brunch will be in the Lexus Club, beginning at 10:00 a.m.