Players

Jay Bryant

Year Inducted: 2009

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: Aurora West High School
Northern Illinois University

Biography: Jay was a two-season regular on Aurora West High School quintets that won 61 of 63 games (1974-76).  He averaged 11.7 ppg., set school assist record, and was named All-Upstate Eight Conference, All-Area, All-Pontiac Holiday Tournament, All-State, and All State Tournament on a 30-3 Blackhawk team that finished as IHSA Class AA state tourney runner-up (1975-76).  Jay played in the IBCA and City-Suburban all-star games.  Jay stayed near home as he played for the Huskies of Northern Illinois University.  As the team point guard, he was the set-up man for three of NIU’s all-time career scorers—Matt Hicks, Paul Dawkins, and Allen Rayhorn.  He established school-records for career (367) and single-season assists (163).  Jay was selected Honorable Mention on the All-Century Team during NIU’s Centennial Team (1999-2000) and on the All-Time Chick Evans Field House Team (1996).  Jay was the NIU team co-captain in his senior season (1979-80).  After his playing days, Jay became a coach with stints as head coach at (Aurora) Marmion Military Academy, (Rockton) Hononegah High School, south Beloit High School and Beloit (WI) Memorial High School.  He served some time as an assistant at Ball State University.