Friday, November 10, 2006

                JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 10, 2006) - Former ETSU basketball great Calvin Talford (Castlewood, Va.), a player known for his electrifying dunks and contributions to the most successful four years in ETSU's program history, will be honored during "Calvin Talford Night" when the Bucs' meet former Southern Conference rival Chattanooga on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

            Not only will ETSU retire Talford's No. 24 jersey, but he will also be recognized with a special fan giveaway, as the first 2,000 fans to enter Memorial Center will receive a commemorative replica pin of Talford's jersey, along with a special "Talford Night" poster. Chosen by the fans in a web site vote at ETSUBucs.com earlier this year, Talford will be the first of five All-Time Greats to be honored during the upcoming 2006-07 season. Other honorees during the season will include:

1/4: Pin #2 - ETSU vs. Lipscomb (Zakee Wadood)

1/13: Pin #3 - ETSU vs. North Florida (Keith "Mister" Jennings)

1/19: Pin #4 - ETSU vs. Kennesaw State (Greg Dennis)

2/2: Pin #5 - ETSU vs. Gardner-Webb (Tom Chilton)

            For tickets to Wednesday's game, fans can order on-line at ETSUBucs.com or call 423-439-ETSU (3878).

Calvin Talford bio

Known for his high-flying dunks and his contributions to the most successful four years in ETSU men's basketball history, Castlewood, Va., native Calvin Talford became one of the Buccaneers' most popular players ever during his time in Johnson City.

Wearing the Blue and Gold from 1988 to 1992, Talford chose to attend ETSU despite a great deal of interest from larger programs. Their loss was certainly ETSU's gain, as Talford spent those next four years rewriting the record books and ultimately finishing his career third on the Bucs' all-time scoring list with 1,872 points. While he now ranks fourth on that list behind recent star Tim Smith, as well as former teammates Greg Dennis and Keith "Mister" Jennings, Talford's name still stands at the top of several categories, including career field goals made (3^rd - 661) and career free throw percentage (6^th - .793). In addition to the 99 games ETSU won during Talford's era, no record book can adequately list the countless dunks he slammed home in mid-air thanks to passes from Jennings, his good friend and teammate.

A player who wrapped up his career by winning the 1992 NCAA Slam-Dunk Championship in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN, Talford went on to play professionally overseas before returning to Northeast Tennessee to make his home in Johnson City. But his legacy will be the many wonderful memories he left behind for ETSU fans both young and old.