1998 Runway to the Fashionable 4

Former Wagner coach Tim Capstraw came up with a new idea for his weekly coach-column feature. As the Capper put it, “Nobody around the country cares about Wagner Basketball so let’s have some fun.” Capstraw’s idea of fun was to judge coaches and their attire and the Runway to the Fashionable 4 was born. With the assistance of Angela Lento, Capstraw put together a field of competitors who would compete against one another in stylish showdown. The inaugural tournament was received with mixed reviews, but those involved embraced the idea of possibly being tabbed as America’s best-dressed coach. Lehigh’s Sal Mentesana and Hofstra’s Jay Wright emerged as the powers of the East, while Rice’s Willis Wilson beat all comers in the Southwest. The surprise entry into the Fashionable 4 was Hawaii’s Riley Wallace who used a collection of floral prints to shock his competitors in the West. The first-ever fashion finale would be the first of three straight tournaments with Mentesana and Wright going head-to-head. Their future battles on the catwalk helped to set the stage for the popularity of the event. Wright, who is still the only two-time champion, earned the distinction of being the first-ever champion on the Runway to the Fashionable 4. Fashionable Four (Head Coaches): Sal Mentesana (Lehigh), Riley Wallace (Hawaii), Willis Wilson (Rice), Jay Wright (Hofstra) Champion Best-Dressed Head Coach: Jay Wright (Hofstra)