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La Salle Explorers
History
Founded by the Christian Brothers in 1863, La Salle
University was named after Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Saint La
Salle was an educator and founder of the Christian Brothers. The
university maintains high standards of value-based education and
community service in the 300 year old tradition of Saint La Salle, the
patron saint of teachers.
La Salle University's nickname - The Explorers - was erroneously
bestowed by a sports writer covering a La Salle game on campus sometime
during the 1930's. He thought that the school was named after the French
explorer of North America. Despite the error, the nickname has remained.
La Salle, a Catholic university, provides a broad-based education and
teaches its' students Catholic values and encourages a Christian
lifestyle. Pro-life values taught include respect for all human life
including the unborn and the elderly. In addition, traditional family
values are respected. La Salle welcomes students of all religions.
"The main purpose of faith is to lead us to practice what we believe"
- St. John Baptist de La Salle
The 03'-04' Season
La Salle has been playing college basketball at a
collegiate varsity level since 1931. When La Salle won its 1,000th game
in 1992 it became the team with the fewest number of seasons (62) to
reach that total. La Salle has played teams from every major conference
and has at least one victory over a team in every one of these
conferences. La Salle is one of only 17 colleges to have won both an NIT
title and NCAA title. La Salle is the only member of the Atlantic 10
conference to have won both NIT and NCAA titles. La Salle has a home
court with a bit of that "Palestra" feel to it. The arena was named for
the living legend Tom Gola. Tom Gola, a community leader, is considered
by many to be the best college basketball player of all time. His 2201
rebounds is still a record!
"I liked the tradition at this university. They won a national
championship here. They won an NIT here. They have had All-Americans,
and college players of the year. The basketball history of La Salle and
the Big 5 speaks for itself. Anytime something has been done before, it
can be done again. This is not unchartered waters. It can happen again."
- La Salle Head Coach Billy Hahn at April 2001 press conference
The Fight Song
Fight, fight, fight, fight;
Fight on, Explorers;
Fight on for L.S.U.
Give 'em "L"
Give 'em "A"
Give 'em "S-A-L-L-E"
So fight on to victory!
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