Gonzalez Jersey No. 5 Retired

Former University of South Alabama baseball star Luis Gonzalez had his No. 5 college jersey retired at halftime Wednesday night of the South Alabama-Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball game at the Mitchell Center.

Gonzalez is the second Jaguar to have his jersey retired, joining former coaching great Eddie Stanky who had his No. 12 jersey retired. Gonzalez played at South Alabama from 1986-88 and was a two-time All-American for the Jaguar baseball program. He was inducted into USA's Hall of Fame in 1999.

*I could go on (with your successes), but most important is the kind of guy you are. You give back to the community and to the program, and because of that I declare tonight that No. 5 is officially retired at South Alabama," South Alabama Head Coach Steve Kittrell said. Kittrell played for Stanky and coached Gonzalez at USA.

In the ceremony, Gonzalez was awarded by University of South Alabama President V. Gordon Moulton a resolution of support from the USA Board of Trustees and given the key to the city of Mobile by city council president Reggie Copeland. Among the dignitaries on the court, Mrs. Dickie Stanky, Eddie's wife, Kittrell and USA Athletic Director Joe Gottfried were present. Gonzalez was given the No. 5 jersey in a framed mount, and crowd responded with a standing ovation.

Gonzalez has spent the last 12 years in the big leagues, spending time with the Houston Astros from 1990-95 and in 1997, the Chicago Cubs from 1995-96, the Detroit Tigers in 1998 and the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1999- the current season. He had the game-winning hit for the Diamondbacks in Game Seven of this year's World Series.