WASHINGTON (January 9, 2020) – Before Monday's (Jan. 6) men's basketball showdown versus Bethune-Cookman, the Howard University Department of Athletics did a moment of silence for fallen Bison James Ratiff, who passed away Saturday (Jan. 4) at the age of 61.
 
Ratiff was a former member of the men's basketball team, known as the Dunk Patrol in the early 80s and late 90s.
 
The D.C. native was a two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year, along with tournament MVP. Additionally, he was instrumental in helping Howard become the first school in MEAC history to represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament.
 
He finished his collegiate career ranking among the Top 10 in several school season and career statistical categories. Ratiff finished with 1,588 points and 722 rebounds while averaging 19.5 points in his three years at the Hilltop.
 
After Howard, he went on to be drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) and played professionally overseas in Spain, Argentina and Venezuela.
 
In 2014, he was ultimately inducted into the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
Ratiff started playing basketball in the ninth grade at Eastern High in Washington, D.C. where he became a McDonald's All-American in 1977.
 
James Ratiff's service will take place Tuesday, Jan. 21 at St. Luke's Church (50^th and East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C., 20003). Viewing at 10 a.m., followed by service at 11 a.m.
 
Ed Hill, Jr., retired Howard Sports Information Director, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.