Men's Basketball | December 10, 2022

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle University Athletics proudly unveiled an eight-foot statue of the legendary Tom Gola in a private ceremony outside TruMark Financial Center on Saturday morning. The statue, sculpted by Brian Hanlon, was fully funded through donations to the department.

Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Brian Baptiste, head men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy, and Gola's wife Caroline Gola made remarks to a crowd that had representatives including President Daniel J. Allen, members of the La Salle Board of Trustees, former La Salle men's basketball players that played with and under Gola during his tenure as head coach at La Salle from 1968-70. 

Gola played at La Salle College from 1951-55, helping the Explorers to a National Invitation Tournament title in 1952 and a NCAA national championship in 1954. That season, he was named National Player of the Year and was a three-time All-American during his collegiate days. 

He went on to play 10 seasons in the NBA, winning the 1955-56 championship with the Philadelphia Warriors. He was inducted into La Salle Hall of Athletes in 1961 and then coached La Salle from 1968-70, which included a 23-1 campaign and a No. 2 national ranking in 1968-69. Later, he was enshrined in the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Fans are encouraged to stop by and take photos with the statue, which will be displayed near the entrance to TruMark Financial Center.