March 21, 2006

University of Dayton men's basketball coach Brian Gregory has announced that sophomore forward Chris Alvarez and junior center James Cripe have informed him of their desire to transfer.

Alvarez, a native of Miami, Florida, played in all 31 games (with 13 starts) in 2005-06. He averaged 3.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Cripe, who is from Cincinnati, averaged 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds (ninth) in 24 games this season, with highs of 14 points and six rebounds in the win over UC in November. Because he sat out the 2002-03 season as a developmental redshirt, Cripe will have completed his requirements to graduate from UD this semester. But because of sitting out his first year on campus, he will have to transfer to a non-Division I institution to use his final season of eligibility.

"Both James and Chris have been great examples of what a student-athlete should be. They work hard in the classroom, and do everything asked of them on the court," Gregory said. "I want to wish them good luck in the future, wherever it takes them, and I am very pleased that James will have his degree from the University of Dayton."

Dayton returns four starters and its top three scorers (Brian Roberts, Monty Scott and Norman Plummer) next season. UD was 14-17 in 2005-06, with five of the wins and 11 of the losses coming against post-season teams.