Hall of Fame
Byrnes was recruited by head coach Milt Simon to play for the Gannon men's basketball team and played one year for Simon, before finishing his career under George Hesch. At 6'4", 220 pounds, Byrnes was one of the best rebounders to ever play for the Golden Knights. Appropriately so, Byrnes was nicknamed the "Spaceman" because of his ability to stay in the air so long. As a freshman in 1960-61, Byrnes started all 21 games and averaged nine points and nearly 15 rebounds per game. But it was his sophomore season when he really came into his own. He started all 25 games, upped his scoring average to 11.2 points per game, and totaled 250 rebounds for a 10.0 average, thus achieving the rare double-double. Byrnes' career statistics include a 12.1 rebounding average and 11.2 scoring average. He was a strong defensive center and was named to the Northwest Pennsylvania All-Star squad twice.
