La Salle

The La Salle University Explorers embody a legendary basketball heritage, the unshakeable toughness of a Philadelphia Big 5 school, and the proud, competitive spirit of their city. The university's golden era was in the 1950s, when Hall of Famer Tom Gola led the Explorers to back-to-back NCAA National Championship games, capturing the 1954 title and cementing La Salle as a true national powerhouse. La Salle's history is a roll call of basketball greatness, producing multiple Hall of Famers and National Players of the Year like the legendary Lionel Simmons, a tradition honored at the Tom Gola Arena. The program rekindled that national magic with a thrilling, improbable run to the 2013 NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen, a journey highlighted by the unforgettable "Southwest Philly Floater" game-winner. As a competitive member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, the Explorers' championship pedigree also includes a past national title in field hockey, showcasing a broad commitment to victory. The La Salle Explorers are a proud pillar of Philadelphia basketball, a storied program with a championship in its rafters and a fighting spirit that embodies the heart of a true Philly team.