Jan. 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - The countdown to this year's Hall of Athletes celebration on February 27, 2011 has begun!  In commemoration of the Hall of Athletes' 50th anniversary, La Salle Athletics will honor each of its members during halftime of the men's basketball game against Massachusetts.

Leading up to the celebration, GoExplorers.com will take a look back at the accomplishments of the athletes and coaches by decade. 

For more information about the Hall of Athletes gala celebration, please contact the Explorer Club at 215-951-1606 or explorerclub@lasalle.edu.
 
Today GoExplorers.com remembers a former athletic director and team doctor, as well as the athletes who competed at La Salle during the 1930s and 1940s.

James J. Henry: Developed nine varsity sports over his 35-years as Athletic Director at La Salle, beginning in 1930. Henry also entered the coaching ranks, doubling as line coach for football and becoming head coach for the 1940 and 1941 seasons. Henry even coached basketball (1931), logging a 15-4 record. He also helped organize crew at La Salle, which became one of the first Catholic colleges to do so. A finance instructor at La Salle, Henry was granted an Honorary Degree (LL.D., 1955).

Bernard A. Bradley '35 (football): An outstanding right guard, Bradley also played defensive guard in the era before unlimited substitution. He captained the Explorers' undefeated football team of 1934, which included an upset victory over Villanova. Later coached football at La Salle High School, 1935-1937 and 1943-1948.

Raymond Bahr '35 (football, basketball, track and field): Was a versatile athlete on the football teams of the 1930s, playing offensive halfback and defensive halfback (cornerback). He also captained 1933 squad and was a team leader in scoring and long runs. Also excelled in basketball (co-captain as Senior) and threw the javelin and discus in track and field.

John J. Brennan '36 (football): Played offensive and defensive end for Explorers from 1932-1935.  He captained the team his senior year, during which he was named to the All-State and Honorable Mention All American teams. Brennan scored the winning touchdown as La Salle upset over Villanova during the Explorers' undefeated 1934 season. Later Brennan went on to coach football at West Catholic and Lower Merion High Schools.

Joseph Sciaretta '37 (football):  Described as "fastest-thinking" quarterback in Explorer history, Sciaretta led the undefeated 1934 team and captained 1936 squad. Sciaretta also served as a punt returner, place kicker, safety and defensive back and was named Little All-American.

George Somers '39 (football): Played offensive and defensive tackle for the Explorers. Somers captained the 1938 team and received numerous accolades including the Maxwell Club Award for the best tackle in district, the Associated Press and Collier's Little All-America tackle (1938), AP All-Pennsylvania and AP All-Eastern Honorable Mention.  Somers went on to play professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles (1939-1940) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1941-1942).

Frank Hoerst '39 (basketball and baseball): Was an outstanding player on the Explorers' basketball teams, but achieved even greater notice for his pitching ability in later years. Hoerst was possibly the first La Salle alumnus to play Major League Baseball, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies (1940-1942) and returning after World War II for 1946-1947 season. He also coached La Salle baseball for 5 years.

T. Francis Loughney '40 (football): Played both offensive and defensive guard for the Explorer from 1937-1939 and was selected to Little All-America team (1939) and to All-Pennsylvania team.  A Kingston, Pa. native, Loughney was among La Salle's first "resident students" on campus, living in unfinished College Hall.

Paul C. Prettyman '41 (football): Excellent halfback and also played defensive halfback (cornerback). One of the finest punters of his day, Prettyman could hit the "coffin corner" with great accuracy and registered nation's top punting average (for small colleges) in 1940. He was named Honorable Mention Little All-American and First Team All-Philadelphia that same year.

Charles R. McGlone '42 (basketball): Led the basketball team in scoring for 2 years during the lower-scoring era and was captain of the 1942 squad. McGlone returned to La Salle to coach in 1947, logging a 60-16 record, which was highlighted by the Explorers' first trip to the NIT Tournament in 1948.

Michael Mandarino M.D. '42 (football): Played offensive and defensive guard for the Explorers from 1939-1941, being named named Honorable Mention Little All-American and All-State Guard in 1940. He was selected as La Salle's outstanding student-athlete in 1941. Mandarino worked his way through medical school by playing for the Philadelphia Eagles (1944-1945) and later provided medical services for the team.

Eugene J. Gallagher M.D. '47: Was a devoted physician and avid fan of the Explorers, serving the Athletic Department for 16 years.  A valued ambassador of La Salle, he provided intangible support and encouragement to countless athletes. Gallagher suffered fatal heart attack during Explorers' appearance in Sugar Bowl Tournament in 1974.

Robert Walters '47 (basketball): Was the first La Salle men's basketball player to surpass 1,000 points, accumulating 1,193. He led the team in scoring all 4 years and captained the first Explorer post-season tournament squad in 1947 (MAC).  Walters also coached basketball at La Salle from 1963-1965.