For the older guys...

[luhoopsfan]

Not that I'm a "younging" anymore technically, but for some offseason chatter, I'm curious about something from some of the older fans; keep in mind that 2013 was the first NCAA season in my 18 as a student/alum and I'm looking for a point of reference. I remember a time when a lot of folks that were really loyal were ready to jump ship, but does last seasons success bring you back to a level of fandom you experienced circa 1991ish?

Ridiculously excited about this season and its only July. I finally feel like we are "back" and belong in the convo of the top 30 teams

[lasallescreamer]

Appreciate it more now. Grad in 1977 and saw success with JB; Brooksie; Stevie Black and then The Train/Dougie/Jackie and Randy. Always expected to be competitive even if some down years while rebuilding.Feel that we can get on a roll now. Believe that Dr G has turned a corner. However, nothing is ever a given and the School must move forward with a new facility to enable Coach to keep it going.But, I feel real good about things.We Fight Hard, We Fight Well, When We Fight We Fight Like L-A-S-A-L-L-E---LASALLE!!!!!

[las71]

I think that what made this the most exciting season since I followed the 'splorers was a combination of we have been down so long, an unexpected run tothe sweet 16 and the quality of the kids.

[victoriouslasalle]

Jul 23, 2013 6:30:59 GMT -5 las71 said:

I think that what made this the most exciting season since I followed the 'splorers was a combination of we have been down so long, an unexpected run tothe sweet 16 and the quality of the kids.

Ditto, agree, with all that you mention. I would add-

The Sweet 16 is no small feat. In my lifetime I was too young to appreciate the great accomplisments of the 50's when our greatest accomplisments took place. The 69 team was a joy to watch and an awesome blend of talent, arguably a final 4 team at least, but hamstrung due to sanctions. While, Lionels's 30-1 team was a joy to watch it fed its record on MAC competition. Simmons was an awesome talent a thrill to watch play the game.. I would argue the MAC level of competition weakened its tourney prospects. But more of a factor for me was it lacked enough depth and seemed to me to be 1 inside guy away.

Last years team took us to heights unseen since the 50's. So to me last year's team has acheived in ways unseen at La Salle in over a half a century. It created a special spot for itself in our history.

[MisterD]

Good topic. I do finally feel like we're all on the same page here rather than the previous "have experienced success / have not experienced success" divide depending on whether you came on board before or after Simmons.

[talkinbball]

The whole landscape of college basketball changed from the time I got to La Salle (Durrett's soph season) until now. At that time it was common for, at least, one (usually more) of the Big Five to be in the Top 20. As we know now, when football took over and the Power Conferences were created, the basketball only schools had to scramble for their piece of the pie. The way things developed in the Northeast was that the Big East became THE dominant basketball only conference and the rest, including us, took a greatly reduced secondary status. It is actually a much greater achievement for La Salle (or any other such situated school) to reach the Sweet 16 today than it was in those days. So, I believe we should definitely enjoy the ride but let's try to maintain perspective in expectations going forward.

[Deleted]

I've been a La Salle basketball fanatic since my older brothers ('70 and '72 grads) started taking me to games when I was 12 years old during the 23-1 season. Since then, I don't think I've missed more than a home game or two per season and have been a season ticket holder since I was a freshman ('74-'75).

The 23-1 team may have been the best La Salle team I've ever seen, but this past year was definitely the greatest season that I've experienced for a number of reasons. They not only got that elusive NCAA berth, they grabbed it by the throat and won three games and went to the Sweet 16. Like others have already commented, that is really an amazing accomplishment considering what a small private university is up against these days to compete at the D-1 level.

Another thing that made the run so sweet was because of how long we had to wait for it. If anyone had told me after the crushing first round NCAA loss to Seton Hall in 1992 that La Salle would not play in the postseason again until 2013, I would have laughed in their face. Up to that point, La Salle almost always had winning records and made it to the postseason on a semi-regular basis. I sort of took it for granted that we would always be good. I will never take it for granted again.

I think the program is positioned to be pretty good for a while, but like talkinbball said, we need to maintain our perspective going forward. Athletic success for a small private school with a limited athletic budget is and will probably always be cyclical. There are going to be down years. The school just can't allow the down years to go on for as long as they did. Hopefully they invest the financial windfall from the NCAA units to keep the program moving forward.

And last but not least, what has made the past season even better is that it's all there for us to re-live because of all the online media coverage and video available.

[calsufan]

Jul 23, 2013 6:30:59 GMT -5 las71 said:

I think that what made this the most exciting season since I followed the 'splorers was a combination of we have been down so long, an unexpected run to the sweet 16 and the quality of the kids.

This sums it up pretty well for me. I've been a season ticket holder since '76 (except when I lived out of state). I've seen a lot of great teams, but last year's team just seemed to have a different feel to it. Will we catch lightning in a bottle 2 years in a row? I hope so, but if not, it was still a great ride.

[glorydays]

I was a soph in the year of the '69 team. Sure, they were the best La Salle team I have ever seen. The landscape of college basketball has change so much. For example, I am pretty sure the '69 team only took one airplane trip...that would have been to Niagra. Gola sat Larry Cannon out of that game for being late to the airport.

What does this year mean to me? Not that it matters but it legitimized G for me. I was a critic but usually in a humorous way. My greatest doubts were after he unloaded Murray. After hammering G, I actually got a phone call from somebody who explained the issue..... and have only expressed frustration and not personalized the frustations since that time. (Delaware 2 years ago and Central Conn last year.)

I may only get to 3 -4 games a year now but this year meant that I will start the next season with real hope and excitement.

[baab]

To add a little perspective on the "then and now" issue relating to 68-69, back then all of the Palestra games were televised (plus more than an occasional away game), there were virtually no national college basketball telecasts to speak of, the Flyers had just started the year before, and for whatever reason the 76ers were never that popular (and on top of that Wilt had just been traded away that summer). The result was that Big 5 basketball was to my recollection easily as widely followed as the 76ers or Flyers, and perhaps more so. Last year was great for the students, alumni and fans like myself but none of the schools will ever reach the mass popularity they enjoyed back then.

[23won]

Jul 22, 2013 20:48:27 GMT -5 luhoopsfan said:

I remember a time when a lot of folks that were really loyal were ready to jump ship, but does last seasons success bring you back to a level of fandom you experienced circa 1991ish? 

I agree with a lot of the foregoing points, and will add a few.

1)  In response to the question above, it doesn't change "my fandom" but it does for hundreds if not thousands of folks who previously were casual at best fans without a deep tie to the program, like the deep ties of many of the posters here.  I was baptized into the program and Big 5 much like KJ in the 68-69 season, so that led me to follow with passion through thick and thin, and there were more thin years than I'd like to admit.

2)  The Big East breakup creates a big opportunity for the A10 and us in particular.  I am more stoked about that than anything, and while I don't have an expectation for us to repeat last year's success, I certainly root for it but I will not be disappointed if we fall short (see #3 below).  I have really gotten into the A10 in the last 5 years and prefer to watch 2 A10 teams play (even if we are not playing) more than any conference.  I still like to see a BCS pair of heavyweights duke it out, but I really like to follow the A10.  I hope it stabilizes with its core members in the present configuration.

3) This is an exception to the norm, but the more I see of this program, the more I am impressed. G and his players are a true class act. I hope the next wave of players will carry the same qualities of last year's players on and off the court. If so, this will be a program to truly be proud of on a great number of levels and it will have sustained success, not just success that was sporadic from 69-85 or 88-92 or non-existent between 93 until G got traction.

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2013 8:26:20 GMT -5 23won said:

Jul 22, 2013 20:48:27 GMT -5 luhoopsfan said:

I remember a time when a lot of folks that were really loyal were ready to jump ship, but does last seasons success bring you back to a level of fandom you experienced circa 1991ish? 

I agree with a lot of the foregoing points, and will add a few.

1)  In response to the question above, it doesn't change "my fandom" but it does for hundreds if not thousands of folks who previously were casual at best fans without a deep tie to the program, like the deep ties of many of the posters here.  I was baptized into the program and Big 5 much like KJ in the 68-69 season, so that led me to follow with passion through thick and thin, and there were more thin years than I'd like to admit.

2)  The Big East breakup creates a big opportunity for the A10 and us in particular.  I am more stoked about that than anything, and while I don't have an expectation for us to repeat last year's success, I certainly root for it but I will not be disappointed if we fall short (see #3 below).  I have really gotten into the A10 in the last 5 years and prefer to watch 2 A10 teams play (even if we are not playing) more than any conference.  I still like to see a BCS pair of heavyweights duke it out, but I really like to follow the A10.  I hope it stabilizes with its core members in the present configuration.

3) This is an exception to the norm, but the more I see of this program, the more I am impressed. G and his players are a true class act. I hope the next wave of players will carry the same qualities of last year's players on and off the court. If so, this will be a program to truly be proud of on a great number of levels and it will have sustained success, not just success that was sporadic from 69-85 or 88-92 or non-existent between 93 until G got traction.

Agree 100% with all of this.

[big5vet]

Jul 23, 2013 9:39:57 GMT -5 talkinbball said:

The whole landscape of college basketball changed from the time I got to La Salle (Durrett's soph season) until now. At that time it was common for, at least, one (usually more) of the Big Five to be in the Top 20. As we know now, when football took over and the Power Conferences were created, the basketball only schools had to scramble for their piece of the pie. The way things developed in the Northeast was that the Big East became THE dominant basketball only conference and the rest, including us, took a greatly reduced secondary status. It is actually a much greater achievement for La Salle (or any other such situated school) to reach the Sweet 16 today than it was in those days. So, I believe we should definitely enjoy the ride but let's try to maintain perspective in expectations going forward.

GREAT SUMMARY.

[lasalle89]

I was one year ahead of Lionel. LaSalle was in Sports Illustrtaed talking about the local Philly talent being so good and how LaSalle was going to have a great year. While watching the K State game I thought I was going to have a nervous break down because it was the Clemson game all over again. We were a four seed and expected to go to the Sweet 16. I was never so disappointed until LaSalle blew the lead to Seton Hall. We began to slide steadily after that to the point where bad timing, bad luck and scandal plagued us. This run was incredible because it was so unexpected. I can tell you I have a lot more confidence then before that we can return to the tourny and make some noise. G has a formula and system that seems to be working and with winning comes street credit among the kids. I think LaSalle might becoming the place to play. Once G puts a few kids in the NBA And we upgrade the facilities we could be good for a long time.

[alwayslasalle1]

For the older guys. What was it like playing at Convention Hall in Philly?

Good crowds.? Decent conditions

[olneyman]

Aug 4, 2013 23:27:14 GMT -5 alwayslasalle1 said:

For the older guys. What was it like playing at Convention Hall in Philly?

Good crowds.? Decent conditions

First season at the Civic Center/ Convention Center was Lionel's senior year. We were coming off back to back NCAA appearances. Sold out (10,000 plus; yes that is right!) against Villanova, Notre Dame, Temple ( I think) and Loyola Marymount, who was a hot team and made a deep NCAA run that year. We lost the LMU game, our only regular season loss, in a very exciting game. We ran with them and made it a great game for fans. Our guys were gassed. We were not real deep. Slow it down just a little and we beat them. We drew about 7,000, if my memory is correct, even against Manhattan, when Lionel scored his 3,000th point. Made it special when that Nova rat Lappas was coaching Manhattan at the time, and we blew them out and and released hundreds of balloons from the ceiling when L Train hit the 3,000th. Average home attendance that year was in excess of 5K against a MAAC schedule.

First time we ever played with our logo on the floor, and we had an "Explorer Room" in the basement of the Civic Center where they served alcohol and fans gathered before and after games. Players came in after games and signed numerous autographs for kids. Magical time for La Salle bball in spite of the Clemson disaster later that year. Played there a couple more years and the crowds went down a bit, but were solid through 91-92 and even into early Kareem Townes years.

[luhoopsfan]

I really like where this thread is going - someone else tell me some stories from the good ol' days (that may very well be here again).

Can someone tell me about that 1969 season and those crowds/atmospheres?

[glorydays]

In the Lionel years the talent on the floor and the capacity or near capacity Explorer crowds breathed life into that mausoleum. As you moved forward the next couple of years it got to be pretty discouraging playing to 20%-30% capacity uninspired crowds. My last trip to Convention Hall was to see Maryland with Exree Hipp (great name) beat the Explos in a dreadful game.

The better the team the better the arena.

[player71]

The Civic Center had great fruit smoothies. That was a huge plus for me as a kid...

[las71]

I was at the Manhattan game. AD Mullen announced before the game that when Lionel scored his 3000th point the baloons would be released and we would take the technical foul. It was a tech against the home team if items littered the floor but we were willing to take one to honor Lionel's achievement. Just as the game started, 1 of the baloons got out and landed on the floor. Lappas began screaming for a T but the refs ignored him. I thought Speedy was going to hit him. Also sixers player Hersey Hawkins was in attendance. He was the most recent 3000 point scorer having done it at Bradley. It was a great atmosphere.

[broderickpresident]

La Salle fans knew right away that the 76ers wasted their pick on Shawn Bradley. We saw Milko Lieverst set his rebounding career high against him at the Civic Center back in '91