Grabbing Your A10tion
La Salle Explorers
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Founded: 1863
Enrollment: 7200
Nickname: Explorers
Colors: Blue and Gold
President: Br. Michael McGinniss, F.S.C.
Director of Athletics: Dr. Thomas Brennan
Joined the A-10: 1996
Driving distance from Charlotte: 545 miles
Website: www.GoExplorers.com
Sports in which the 49ers and Explorers will compete: Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Cross-Country, Women’s Cross-Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Track and Field, Women’s Track and Field, Volleyball
Other Sports: Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Rowing, Men’s and Women’s Swimming
Recent League Tournament Titles: Men’s Cross Country (2004; 2003; 2002; 2001); Women’s Cross Country (2004; 2002; 2001); Men’s Indoor Track (2003)
1.) Let’s Eat!... Philadelphia is a city of great restaurants and food. If fine dining is what you want go into center city to the world famous Old Original Bookbinders. Seafood is the specialty and they also serve a wonderful Snapper soup. If you are not in the mood for fine dining, then you probably want a cheesesteak. There’s a great deal of argument as to who serves the best cheesesteaks in town. Most people know of the big three: Pat’s (remember the Boyz to Men video?), Gino’s (right across the street from Pat’s), and Jim’s (Located on South Street). Those are all great places to try, but if you’re near the La Salle campus, Dalessandro’s Steaks in Roxborough is a favorite of the locals. One taste-tester’s opinion: Tony Luke’s in South Philly near the Vet is the best place for a genuine cheesesteak. They also have amazing pork, roast beef, and chicken-cutlet sandwiches . Let’s face it, no matter where you go in the city, you are going to find a great cheesesteak.
2.) The Big 5... The Philadelphia Big 5 has one of the most unique college basketball traditions in the country. The Big 5 is comprised of five universities in the Philadelphia area—Temple, La Salle, Penn, Villanova, and Saint Joseph’s. For more than forty years, these five city schools have been battling each other for the City Championship. Last year, Saint Joseph’s took home the title.
3.) The “L” Train... Lionel Simmons, named after the “El”evated train in Philadelphia, became the third leading scorer in NCAA history (3,217 points) the year he graduated. He was named 1990 College Player of the Year and is also a three-time Player of the Year in the MAAC. Simmons is a four-time First Team All Big 5 and three-time Geasey Award winner as Big 5 MVP. During his career, the Explorers had a 100-31 record. Simmons has been inducted into Big 5 Hall of Fame and played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings from 1990 to 1997.
4.) Where do all the hippies meet... South Street, South Street. It’s not Melrose or Soho, but South Street tries — really hard. There are many impressive stores, including a women’s boutique (Echo), a non-chain coffee place (The Supreme Bean), a thrift store with treasures and a conscience (Thrift for Aids) and a vintage junkies heaven (The Antiquarian’s Delight). Weekends are crowded, sidewalks are a torture and driving around is a pain in the neck, but it is one of the places to be seen in Philly.
5.) Tom Gola... One of the most talented collegiate athletes in Philadelphia sports history. As a sophomore, he led La Salle to the 1952 NIT championship and was named co-MVP. Gola paced the Explorers to the NCAA basketball championship in 1954 and was named Tournament MVP. He was also elected as National Player of the Year in 1954. As a senior, Gola brought additional national attention to La Salle with the Explorers’ runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 20.9 points and 19.0 rebounds during 115 games and holds the NCAA record with 2,201 career rebounds. He played in the NBA for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks (1955-1956 and 1957-1966). Not only did he play, but he coached the Explorers during 1968-1969 (23-1 record, ranked second in nation) and 1969-1970 seasons. La Salle dedicated its state of the art “Tom Gola Arena” at Hayman Center in 1998.
6.) Lights, camera, action... Philadelphia has been the backdrop for some of the greatest films of all time. We all know that Rocky fought his way up from the streets of Philadelphia to the world championship on Rocky I though IV, but many other movies have been shot in the city of brotherly love. In 1982 Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd traded places in Philadelphia. In 1984 Harrison Ford starred in Witness. Years later movies like Philadelphia, 12 Monkeys, Fallen, Beloved, and the Sixth Sense were filmed there.
7.) Where else should I go... Penn’s Landing Waterfront has concerts, shops, and a Water Taxi that takes passengers across the Delaware River. Old City has its share of historical landmarks, great bars, clubs, and beautiful homes. Boathouse Row offers a beautiful bike path, sculpture and is home to the famous crew races - the Dad Vail Regatta. Independence Park is home to the Liberty Bell and is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Franklin Institute is an incredible science museum with a heart you can walk through. The Art Museum has Rocky’s steps and the Philadelphia Zoo is America’s oldest zoo.
8.) World class shopping... The King of Prussia Mall is home to eight department stores, enough specialty stores for every day of the year (365), and 40 restaurants. The mall is almost 3 million square feet of retail space. With $180 million in renovations and upgrades, the mall has become one of the world’s premier shopping destinations. Everything you would ever need and want can be found at the King of Prussia Mall, even a mall-wide bridal registry.
9.) A little more about La Salle... La Salle is a comprehensive, coeducational university related to the Roman Catholic Church and conducted under the auspices of the Christian Brothers. La Salle is one of eight institutions of higher education in the nation conducted by the Christian Brothers with the others being Manhattan College, St. Mary's - California, Christian Brothers University - Memphis, St. Mary's - Minnesota, Lewis University - Illinois, College of Santa Fe. The Brothers were founded by St. John Baptist de La Salle in the 17th century. For more than 300 years, the order has been known for dedicated teaching and devotion to students.
