Chris Ford and Tom Ingelsby will be honored for their career accomplishments
VILLANOVA, Pa.- During the Wildcats game against Marquette on February 4, Villanova will retire the jerseys of two former players who are among the legends of the men's basketball program. Chris Ford (1969-72) and Tom Ingelsby (1970-73) will each have a replica of their jerseys raised to the rafters in the Pavilion in a halftime ceremony.
Ford and Ingelsby both played on the 1970-71 Villanova team that reached the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. Ford averaged 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds that season while also setting the school record with 238 assists on the year. He finished his career with 1,433 points and ranks 21st in school history in scoring. The Wildcats posted a 65-21 record during his three-year career and reached the NCAA Tournament all three seasons. Ford wore No. 42 during his career.
Ingelsby was a freshman on the 1970-71 team and contributed 13.2 points per game while registering 136 assists. He went on to average 22.0 points per game over his final two seasons, including a 25.5 mark in 1972-73. His 1,616 career points currently rank 11th all-time and his 279 assists rank 15th in school history. The Wildcats were 54-28 during his career and made two NCAA Tournament appearances. Ingelsby wore No. 24 during his Wildcat career.
"One of the most significant ways we recognize the great tradition of Villanova basketball is through the retirement of individual player jerseys," Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro said. "It is fitting that we honor both Chris Ford and Tom Inglesby in this way. Chris and Tom were teammates, friends and instrumental figures in one of the most cherished eras of Villanova basketball. Each is very deserving of the honor."
With the addition of Ford and Ingelsby, the men's basketball program will have now retired 18 former jerseys, including 13 players, four coaches and long-time trainer Jake Nevin. A commemorative jersey for each honoree hangs in the Pavilion, while the jersey number remains in circulation. The one exception is the No. 11 worn by Paul Arizin (1947-50).
The Wildcats game against Marquette on February 4 tips off at 2:00 p.m. from The Pavilion. The game will be televised by WB-17 in the Philadelphia area.