March 8, 2004: Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan was gracious enough to provide the introduction for the 2004 Conference Best-Dressed selections. Coach Ryan is still puzzled as to how he received the Big Ten honors, but there should be no question about his swing offense or his deep closet. Ryan is one of 32 coaches (including Independent ranks) to secure a spot on the 2004 Runway to the Fashionable Four. 2004 marks the first time that conference honors will also be passed out to assistant coaches. At-large bids to the fashion tournament, for head coaches and assistants, will be handed out on March 15. Fans will help to determine the at-large selections so CAST YOUR VOTE NOW

                                                        - Angela Lento
 


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THE LENTO AWARDS -- TICKETS TO THE RUNWAY
By Bo Ryan, Wisconsin Badgers

 Angela asked me to provide the forward for the announcement of the best-dressed coaches for 2004. As I understand it, the best-dressed in each conference automatically gets an invitation to Angela's Runway to the Fashionable Four.

As luck would have it, I was approached to write this introduction with the news that I had claimed the Big Ten honors. I am not quite sure what the criteria is, but I just thanked Angela and told her that my wife deserves all the credit.

The fashion craze reminds all us that competition is suppose to be fun and Angela's Runway to the Fashionable Four is something that coaches everywhere have had a lot of fun with.

But it should be noted that it is still competition and -- by nature -- we are competitive.

When this all began a lot of people thought it was just silly project, but seven years later it has become a favorite among fans, media and coaches. And there are quite a few coaches that have secured clothing deals as a result of Angela's fashion power index.

For head coaches it has given us something to have fun with all summer long. If you get knocked off the runway by one of your coaching friends you will most certainly hear about it.

For assistant coaches it has provided them with extra attire and national exposure that they probably would not have otherwise received. And they also take the opportunity to let their fellow assistants know how good or bad their wardrobe is.

Assistant coaches will be happy to know that for the first time Angela has selected a best-dressed understudy from each conference, an honor previously reserved only for head coaches.

Before you peruse the 2004 selections, let it be noted that I did was not on the selection committee. To date they have been simply known as 'best-dressed' for each conference, but I believe they should be renamed the 'Lento Awards' and I am honored to be the recipient of the 'Lento Award' for the Big Ten.


THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS -- THE LENTO AWARDS

AMERICA EAST
Head Coach: Larry Harrison (Hartford)
Assistant: Jason Williford (Boston University)

ATLANTIC COAST
Head Coach: Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech)
Assistant: Dave Dickerson (Maryland)

ATLANTIC SUN
Head Coach: Michael Perry (Georgia State)
Assistant: Tom Schuberth (Central Florida)

ATLANTIC 10
Head Coach: Jerry Wainwright (Richmond)
Assistant: Monte Ross (St. Joseph's)

BIG EAST
Head Coach: Gary Waters (Rutgers)
Assistant: Fred Hill, Jr. (Villanova)

BIG SKY
Head Coach: Doug Oliver (Idaho State)
Assistant: Kirk Earlywine (Weber State)

BIG SOUTH
Head Coach: Byron Samuels (Radford)
Assistant: Mitch Cole (Birmingham Southern)

BIG TEN
Head Coach: Bo Ryan (Wisconsin)
Assistant: Cuonzo Martin (Purdue)

BIG 12
Head Coach: Ricardo Patton (Colorado)
Assistant: Rodney Terry (Texas)

BIG WEST
Head Coach: Kevin Bromley (Cal Poly)
Assistant: Todd Lee (UC-Irvine)

COLONIAL
Head Coach: Bruiser Flint (Drexel)
Assistant: Bill Courtney (George Mason)

CONFERENCE USA
Head Coach: Rick Pitino (Louisville)
Assistant: Ed Schilling (Memphis)

HORIZON
Head Coach: Perry Watson (Detroit)
Assistant: Tony Jones (Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

INDEPENDENTS
Head Coach: Doug Noll (IUPU-Fort Wayne)
Assistant: Spencer Wright (Texas-Pan American)

IVY LEAGUE
Head Coach: James Jones (Yale)
Assistant: Mike Bramucci (Columbia)

METRO ATLANTIC
Head Coach: Tim O'Toole (Fairfield)
Assistant: Eugene Burroughs (Marist)

MID-AMERICAN
Head Coach: Stan Joplin (Toledo)
Assistant: Brian Townsend (Ohio)

MID-CONTINENT
Head Coach: Derek Thomas (Western Illinois)
Assistant: Tom Hankins (Oral Roberts)

MID-EASTERN
Head Coach: Bobby Collins (Hampton)
Assistant: Tyrhon Crawford (Bethune-Cookman)

MISSOURI VALLEY
Head Coach: Matt Painter (Southern Illinois)
Assistant: Jean Prioleau (Wichita State)

MOUNTAIN WEST
Head Coach: Joe Scott (Air Force)
Assistant: Brian Dutcher (San Diego State)

NORTHEAST
Head Coach: Bobby Jones (St. Francis, PA)
Assistant: Damari Riddick (Fairleigh Dickinson)

OHIO VALLEY
Head Coach: Mick Cronin (Murray State)
Assistant: Chris Goggin (Murray State)

PACIFIC-10
Head Coach: Henry Bibby (USC)
Assistant: Kerry Keating (UCLA)

PATRIOT
Head Coach: Emmett Davis (Colgate)
Assistant: Kelvin Jefferson (American)

SOUTHEASTERN
Head Coach: Tubby Smith (Kentucky)
Assistant: Mike Jones (Georgia)

SOUTHERN
Head Coach: Bob McKillop (Davidson)
Assistant: Adam Chaskin (UNC-Greensboro)

SOUTHLAND
Head Coach: Eddie McCarter (Texas-Arlington)
Assistant: Dionne Phelps (Texas-San Antonio)

SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC
Head Coach: Lafayette Stribling (Mississippi State)
Assistant: Eric Strothers (Jackson State)

SUN BELT
Head Coach: Jessie Evans (Louisiana-Lafayette)
Assistant: Shawn Forrest (Arkansas State)

WEST COAST
Head Coach: Michael Holton (Portland)
Assistant: Lloyd Pierce (Santa Clara)

WESTERN ATHLETIC
Head Coach: Willis Wilson (Rice)
Assistant: Alvin Williamson (Tulsa)