Tom Gola obit

Memories of Tom Gola, an elegant star

He was not on the list

He didn't run as much as he seemed to glide, like a man surfing on air, playing with such an elegance and grace that others caught themselves staring. But he could play Philly Ball, too, if that was your desire, and he could rumble in for the rebound and slyly employ an educated elbow to carve out position.

You should have seen him, the oldsters would sigh, awe in their voices. Well, OK then, which position was it that he played? All of them was the answer. And it was no exaggeration, for Tom Gola could, and would, play wherever they needed him. Wherever, that is, as long as it was in Philadelphia.

Because that was the essence of the man, his unwavering loyalty, his total and absolute devotion to this city that spanned a star-spangled lifetime, as a player, as a coach, as a politician, as a city employee. It may be true what they say, that notion that you can't go home again, but Tom Gola solved that by never leaving.

He was Philadelphia through and through, the son of a Philadelphia cop, rowhouse-raised in Olney, a gym rat honing his game on school yards and in church gyms and playgrounds downtheshore, rejecting all those scholarship offers from other colleges to stay home and play for La Salle, and then making a commute from his home to New York after he was traded to the Knicks . . . and how's that for sustained commitment?

Gola was one of the most talented collegiate athletes in Philadelphia sports history. He came to national attention while playing for his hometown La Salle University Explorers men's basketball team.

Gola starred as a college freshman and led La Salle to the 1952 NIT championship. Gola paced the Explorers to the NCAA basketball championship in 1954 and was named Tournament MVP. That same season he was selected as National Player of the Year. As a senior, Gola helped La Salle finish as the runner-up in the 1955 NCAA Tournament. At 6'6" (198 cm), Gola was clearly a forward who could shoot/score, rebound and defend, but he also had the ballhandling (dribbling, passing) skills of a guard, and with his shooting range and All-Pro defensive skills, could play just as well in the backcourt.

After a phenomenal college career, Gola turned pro with the Philadelphia Warriors as a territorial draft pick. He teamed with All-Pros Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston to lead the Warriors to an NBA championship in 1956. He gained praise for concentrating on defense, passing and rebounding and allowing the other two to be the chief scorers during these years.

In 1959, Johnston temporarily retired due to a knee injury and the Warriors added seven-foot superstar Wilt Chamberlain. Again sacrificing himself for his team, Gola helped the Warriors consistently reach the NBA Playoffs, but they could not beat the star-studded Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Division during his seasons in the early 1960s even with Chamberlain. During the 1959–60 season, Gola became the first Warrior to have three straight games with a triple-double (the only other being Draymond Green, 2016). On January 10, 1960, Gola recorded 18 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists in a 116–103 win over the New York Knicks.

In 1968, Gola returned to his alma mater as head coach, leading the Explorers to a 37–13 record during his two-year stay. He was named Coach of the Year by Philadelphia and New York journalists. He led the Explorers to a 23–1 record during the 1968–69 season, but La Salle had been barred from the NCAA Tournament before the season because an alumnus had offered some players "no-show" jobs. The school's Tom Gola Arena was named after him.

His basketball associates include: Paul Arizin, Neil Johnston, George Senesky, Jack George, Joe Graboski, Larry Costello, Woody Sauldsberry, Eddie Gottlieb, Wilt Chamberlain, Al Attles, Ed Conlin, Frank McGuire, Bill Campbell, Guy Rogers, Eddie Donovan, Fred Podesta, Willie Naulls, Gene Shue, Kenny Sears, Johnny Green, Richie Guerin, Al Butler, Bevo Nordmann, Bob Boozer, Johnny Egan, Len
Chappell, Art Heyman, Bill McGill, Harry Gallatin, Jim Barnes, Willis Reed, Howard Komives, Walt Bellamy, Dick Barnett, Dick Van Arsdale, Dave Stallworth and Dick McGuire.

 

Career history

1955–1956,

1957–1962           Philadelphia - San Francisco Warriors

1962–1966           New York Knicks

Career highlights and awards

 

    NBA champion (1956)

    5× NBA All-Star (1960–1964)

    All-NBA Second Team (1958)

    NCAA champion (1954)

    NCAA Final Four MOP (1954)

    NIT champion (1952)

    Helms Foundation Player of the Year (1954)

    UPI Player of the Year (1955)

    3× Consensus first-team All-American (1953–1955)

    NIT Co-MVP (1952)

    No. 15 retired by La Salle Explorers

    National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (1977)