Jay Piccola
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- Class of:
- 1974
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- Induction Class of:
- 1980
Piccola's athletic career consisted of four years of basketball in which he performed to the greatest expectations over and above all others. One of the most fiercest competitors to ever wear a Maroon uniform, he brought honor and fame to Roanoke College Basketball.
Unselfishly used his athletic skills for the accomplishments of the team’s success - winning the 1972 College Division NCAA Championship. The Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament 1972, he was known as a tenacious defender and aggressive rebounder, frustrating future NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin out of the national semifinals in 1972.
Piccola earned All-Conference Mason Dixon and All-Tournament in the confernece tournament three times, including Player of the Year honors in 1974. He also earned All-State honors twice, including Player of the Year in 1974.
A JV player as a freshman, Piccola was selected three times to the College All-American team, earning first-team honors in 1973 and '74. Participated in Coaches All-Star Game in 1974 as the only non division-I player. He was drafted in the eighth round (136th pick) in the NBA Draft by the New Orleans Jazz after graduation.
Piccola also spent time as the president of PUMA in Nashua, NH.
