| Writing this book was a real labor of love for me. I've always enjoyed Big 5 basketball. But I couldn't have accomplished this project without the help of many sharp basketball minds in the Philadelphia area. |
| First, I would like to thank all the fine sports information people in the Big 5, such as Al Shrier and Scott Cathcart (Temple), Ken Krsolovic and Larry Dougherty (St. Joseph's), Bob Vetrone (La Salle), Gail Stasulli Zachary and Shaun May (Pennsylvania) and Karen Frascona (Villanova) and Gary Emig, former Temple sports information director, now at Ohio State, for bio information on coaches, teams and players. |
| Next, I would like to thank all the Big 5 athletic directors Bob Mullen (La Salle), Steve Bilsky (Pennsylvania), Don DiJulia (St. Joseph's), Dave O'Brien (Temple) and Gene DeFilippo (Villanova) for all their support in this project. |
| I would like to thank Herm Rogul, former Bulletin sports columnist, Barnett Wright, managing editor of The Philadelphia Tribune, Bob Vetrone, Jr., assistant sports information director at La Salle, Dick Jerardi, sports writer of The Philadelphia Daily News, and Bret Hoover, of Hoover Graphics, for providing editing, articles, interesting vignettes and statistics. |
| Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Pat and son, Little Don, who demonstrated great patience and understanding during the time I was writing the book. |
| I would like to especially thank Dan Baker, who recently retired after 15 years as Executive Director of the Big 5 for all his help with the book. Dan provided me with a great deal of photos and information on the Philadelphia Big 5. |
| The Big 5 has always been very special to him as well as many other fans in the Philadelphia area. During his career with the Big 5, he was instrumental in putting together the Hall of Fame luncheons, Big 5 Meet the Media night ( a preseason dinner for the sportswriters, broadcasters and local teams) radio and television broadcasts and many other activities. He also negotiated the Big 5 contracts that allowed the five schools to continue to play each other each year. |
| Although Dan won't be handling the administrative functions on a daily basis, he will remain very close to the Big 5 by working as a color analyst on the radio broadcasts for all the games. Paul Rubincam, former athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania, has agreed to succeed Dan as executive director of the Big 5. |
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