GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Former Green Bay standout and all-time leading scorer Tony Bennett was honored this week by The Summit League as one of the conference's Top 30 Distinguished Contributors. Green Bay was a member of The Summit League from 1989-94 when the conference was called the Mid-Continent Conference.

Dick Bennett, who served as Green Bay's head coach from 1985-95, was named an "Additional Honored Contributor" by The Summit League, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

"Certainly the Bennett name still resonates on the UW-Green Bay campus and throughout the Green Bay community," said Director of Athletics Ken Bothof. "Their time at Green Bay was filled with tremendous accomplishments, and everyone in the community recognizes how deserving they are of these honors."

To see a list of the Top 30 Distinguished Contributors and the Additional Contributors honored, click here.

Tony Bennett, who played at Green Bay from 1988-92, was a two-time Mid-Continent Player of the Year in 1990-91 and 1991-92. Nearly 20 years after his career ended, he still ranks as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,285 career points.

"I am honored to be on the list of the Summit League's Top 30 Distinguished Contributors," Tony said. "I enjoyed the opportunity to compete in the league when it was called the Mid-Continent Conference and appreciate very much being recognized as one of the league's distinguished contributors during its first 30 years at the Division I level. My father was the head coach at Green Bay during my collegiate career and I'm pleased to see he's recognized on the list of additional honored contributors."

Tony is beginning his third season as the head coach at Virginia, and his Cavaliers are starting a three-game series with Green Bay and head coach Brian Wardle this season. The Phoenix will play at Virginia on Nov. 25, return to Charlottesville during the 2012-13 season and then welcome Bennett and Virginia to Green Bay the following season in 2013-14.

"I am looking forward to the series with Green Bay. Obviously it is a special opportunity as the head coach at Virginia to play my alma mater and I look forward to the challenge of preparing to play Coach Wardle's team," Tony said. "This series means a lot to me and to my family. My time at UW-Green Bay was filled with many great memories. The fans were wonderful to me and now I will get a feel for what the Section F fans did to the opposing coaches for all those years."

Dick Bennett was 187-109 at the helm of the Phoenix program, including 87-34 during Tony's four seasons from 1988-92. He led Green Bay to three appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a spot in the second round in 1993-94.

"Dick and Tony Bennett are legends of Green Bay Basketball and this is a well-deserved honor for both of them," said Wardle. "Both have been supportive of me since I became the head coach here, and I'm very excited about beginning the series with Virginia this year. I know the Green Bay community shares that excitement."

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Season tickets and Pick-5 plans are currently on sale with the Green Bay Athletics Ticket Office while individual game tickets will go on sale on Oct. 10. For more information or to order tickets, call the ticket office at 920.465.2625. To view the 2011-12 Phoenix schedule, click here.