Big 5 Hall of Fame inductees share Villanova connection

Jason Lawson, a Philadelphia-area product who manned the pivot for Steve Lappas' nationally renowned Villanova teams during the mid-1990s, heads this year's Big 5 Hall of Fame class, Executive Director Paul Rubincam announced last week. Drexel women's basketball head coach Denise Dillon and longtime NCAA official Hank Nichols will also be honored at the Big 5's annual luncheon, to be held Jan. 30 at the Palestra.

Lawson, who played prep ball at nearby Olney High School, was a two-time selection to the Big 5 first team and was named the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year in 1997. He finished his career third on the Big East's all-time blocked shots list, behind only Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning.

The Wildcats enjoyed steady success during Lawson's time on the Main Line, amassing a 95-37 record -- the program's most wins ever within a four-year span.

During Lawson's sophomore year, the Wildcats memorably upended No. 1-ranked Connecticut -- their hated Big East rivals -- at Gampel Pavilion, 96-73. In the championship game of the Big East Tournament held later that season, Lawson and teammate Kerry Kittles each scored 27 points as the Wildcats again upset the Huskies, 94-78.

Though his four-year career occurred when the Big 5 was temporarily relegated to an abbreviated form, Lawson still turned heads in the city series. He garnered Big 5 Rookie of the Year honors in 1994, and helped the Wildcats to a city-series crown in his senior season.

Dillon was a three-time all-Big 5 first-team selection for Villanova, where she ranks seventh on the school's all-time career scoring list with 1,355 points. She started 93 of 107 career games for legendary coach Harry Perretta, leading the Wildcats to a 68-43 record during her career.

Following her playing career, Dillon joined Perretta's coaching staff for five seasons as an assistant.

Nichols is the NCAA national coordinator of men's officiating as well as chairman of the USA Basketball officials committee.

Nichols shares Villanova ties with his Hall of Fame classmates -- he is the school's chairman of the department of education and human services.

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