Hall of Athletes
Tom Gola was one of the most talented collegiate athletes in Philadelphia sports history. As a sophomore, Gola led La Salle to the 1952 NIT championship and was named co-MVP.
He paced the Explorers to the NCAA basketball championship in 1954 and was named Tournament MVP. That same season he was selected as National Player of the Year. As a senior, he helped La Salle finish as the runner-up in the 1955 NCAA Tournament.
Gola averaged 20.9 points and 19.0 rebounds during 115 games and holds the NCAA record with 2,201 career rebounds. Gola went on to play in the NBA for Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks (1955-1956 and 1957-1966), amassing 7,871 points and 5,605 rebounds.
Gola also coached the Explorers during 1968-1969 (23-1 record; ranked second in nation) and 1969-1970 seasons. La Salle dedicated its "Tom Gola Arena" at Hayman Center in 1998.
