St. Francis to Honor Jessica Zinobile with Jersey Retirement

LORETTO – Saint Francis University women’s basketball great Jess Zinobile, a Clinton County native, as she becomes the first female athlete to retire a jersey in SFU history on Saturday, February 9, 2019. The ceremony is to be held during halftime of the first game of a double header. First game begins at 4 p.m.

Zinobile is perhaps the most honored women’s basketball player in Northeast Conference history. Among her many achievements, Zinobile was selected as the NEC 20th Anniversary Most Valuable Player and to the 25th Anniversary all-time team. She was a two-time NEC Player of the Year in 1997-98 and 1999-00 who led the Red Flash to four NEC championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Zinobile was also voted the NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player (1997, 1999 and 2000) on three occasions, named the league’s Newcomer of the Year in 1996-97 and was a three-time All-NEC first team pick. She has also held both NEC and SFU career records.

Zinobile participated in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game following her senior season and holds the distinction of being the only NEC player drafted by the WNBA after being chosen by the Sacramento Monarchs in the 2000 Draft. She went on to play professionally with Spanish Top Division teams Oviedo Cinturon Verde and CB Linares, and LF Spain-League team PC Mendibil, where she averaged 13.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in 51 career games.

Jess Zinobile is an inductee of the Northeast Conference Hall of Fame and SFU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Zinobile was a 1996 graduate of Lock Haven High School and participated in soccer, basketball, softball, track and field over her high school career earning several honors including all-sate recognition.