2014 -- S 2901

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING KEVIN STACOM, JOE HASSETT AND TRACY LIS FOR BEING

HONORED AS PART OF THE PROVIDENCE COLLEGE "FRIARS LEGENDS FOREVER

TRADITION"

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Goodwin, McCaffrey, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: April 15, 2014

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The "Friars Legends Forever Tradition" began in 1996 as a way to honor

those basketball players who have made a significant impact on Friar basketball history. He or

she must have received national recognition during his or her basketball playing career at

Providence College; and

     WHEREAS, The three honorees, Kevin Stacom, Joe Hassett and Tracy Lis, were honored

at a dinner held by the Providence College Athletic Department held at the Omni Hotel in

Downtown Providence. Additionally, the three were honored on January 25, 2014, at halftime of

the men's and women's basketball games that day. Banners with their names and numbers were

unveiled to a very appreciative audience; and

     WHEREAS, Kevin Stacom, a native of Elmont, New York 1974, and a Providence

College graduate in 1974, transferred to Providence College from Holy Cross. Kevin was an

excellent shooter who scored 1,143 points in his playing career at Providence College. He had an

outstanding 52.7 field goal percentage, scored an average of 18.1 points per game, and shot a

superb 83.4 percent from the free throw line. Kevin, in his playing career at Providence College,

helped form one of the greatest threesomes in college basketball history, teaming up with Ernie

DiGregorio and Marvin Barnes to go 27-4 in the 1972-73 college basketball season and to

advance to the NCAA Final Four. For his outstanding play, Kevin Stacom was named to the

NCAA 1973 East Region All-Tournament Team. In his senior season, Kevin helped Providence

College to compile a stellar 28-4 record in the 1973-74 College Basketball season and a trip to the

NCAA Sweet Sixteen. As a senior, Kevin was named a Second Team All-American, First Team

All-ECAC, All-East and All-New England. In Kevin’s two seasons playing basketball at

Providence College, the Friars compiled an astounding 55-8 record. Kevin was selected in the

second round of the 1974 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, and played six seasons in the

National Basketball Association; and

     WHEREAS, Joe Hassett, a native of Providence and a 1977 Providence College

graduate, was one of the greatest shooters to ever play for the Friars. He carried the nickname of

"Sonar" for his ability to consistently hit shots from long distance. Joe scored 1,828 points in his

illustrious career at Providence College, ranking sixth on the all-time scoring list. He is one of

only seven players in Providence College Basketball history to lead the Friars in scoring for three

consecutive seasons. He ranks second in career free throw percentage, compiling an 865 mark,

and he holds Providence College records for the single season free throw percentage mark, hitting

his free throws at a phenomenal 941 clip, and for making the most career field goals, with 840

made in 124 games. During Joe’s playing days at Providence College, his teams compiled a

superb 93-31 record. Joe was a three-time All-New England selection from 1975 to 1977, a three-

time NABC All-District selection from 1975 to 1977, and a two-time All-East honoree. He was

an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American selection in 1976, and a NABC Third-

Team All-American in 1977. Joe was selected in the third round of the 1977 NBA Draft by the

Seattle Supersonics. He played six seasons in the National Basketball Association and helped the

1979 Seattle Supersonics win the 1979 NBA championship; and

     WHEREAS, Tracy Lis is a native of Cromwell, Connecticut and a 1992 Providence

College graduate. Tracy played basketball for the Providence College Women's basketball team

from 1988 to 1992, and is the program’s all-time leading scorer, scoring an incredible 2,534

career points. She is the only Lady Friar to score more than 2,000 points in the history of the

program and also ranks fifth in career rebounding with 821 rebounds. In 1990, Tracy led

Providence College to the program's first Big East Tournament title and helped the team to

advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. In 1991, she helped guide the program to its

highest ever national ranking in the Associated Press top 25 poll, placing 15th in the poll. Tracy

received the Big East Special Achievement Award and was named the ECAC Player of the Year.

She was also a two-time First Team All-Big East selection. In 2004, Tracy was one of 15 players

honored as a member of the Big East Conference Silver Anniversary Team. During her playing

career Providence College made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, advanced to

the Big East Tournament Championship game three straight years and compiled an overall record

of 96-31. Tracy played professional basketball for the New England Blizzard in the American

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Basketball League; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby congratulates Kevin Stacom, Joe Hassett and Tracy Lis for being honored as part of the

Providence College "Friars Legends Forever Tradition"; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Kevin Stacom, Joe Hassett and Tracy Lis.

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