Comments on: Throwback Thursday: Hank Gathers

By: Ron Glover

Ron Glover — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:00:36 +0000

I just received an email from Kyle Keiderling today advising me that the book was released today.

As is my custom I will give my annual tribute to Hank on this site March 4th.

Twenty years to the day.

By: Mike Roach

Mike Roach — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:24:26 +0000

To Mike Cervellino I say thank you for recalling Coach Westhead’s eulogy of Bankman “for points, for rebounds, for life” - that brings back 20 year old memories from Gerston Pavillion. I only interacted with Eric once or twice in the locker room but I remember the run and gun days and the love we had for our roaring Lions. Hank was our heart, the heart of a lion, and we lost something that terrible day. But we gained something from that loss, we gained the courage and the ability to recover from losing a piece of us that we all shared. I remember the tourney that year, and screaming for our beloved Lions as our boys beat NM State and demolished the fab five Michigan defending champs. Hank’s spirit was with the team that week. I remember going to Oakland and watching Bo and the boys in the Bay as they carried Hank’s spirit with them and showed the world what they were made of, and they let the world know who Hank was and what he was made of. I will carry those memories with me forever; they fill me with joy and sadness to this day, 20 years later.

By: anyssa

anyssa — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:28:45 +0000

my cousin goes to LMU he got the BILL GATES SCHOLARSHIP!!!!

By: thebrotherreport

thebrotherreport — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:45:14 +0000

March 4, 1990 will be etched in my mind forever. In 2007, I spoke to his mother briefly about the possibility of doing a book. You heard the emotion in her voice then as I requested her permission, I felt bad for even asking, I’ve decided not to pursue the book but I will honor Hank with every opportunity that presents itself.

Thank you all for reading my work and keep Hank’s spirit alive
LMU #44

By: For You Hank

For You Hank — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:30:23 +0000

I came upon this as I know the book will be coming out soon written by Kyle Keiderling. I read the article written and I can appreciate what you have written and also what others have commented on. Hank was exactly what everyone has stated and more. As a young kid 20 years ago I had the best job in the world as an 11 year old boy. I was a ball boy for the LMU Men’s basketball team. I was there working under the basket when Hank collapsed against Santa Barbara and I was at the other end when he threw down a thunderous dunk from a Terrell Lowry Alley Oop pass that litterally rocked me and the basket like an earthquake the second time he collapsed in a game. I watched Hank run to half court and then fall as he was getting ready to defend the press at half court. A hush went over gerston pavillion like I’ve never experienced before. I knew he would get up as I saw him get up against UCSB. I watched as Josh Lowry , Terrell’s brother who played for Portland try and help him up and then when Bo and other’s tried and Hank, my hero, didn’t get up my heart dropped. I was sad because at that age and being a part of the team I knew this probably meant that Hank wouldn’t be able to play basketball anymore. I had fed him passes during warm ups before the game as he would stay longer during pregame shootaround shooting extra shots. I thought maybe I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore. As the paramedics and doctors carried him away and took him to the hospital I noticed the rest of the team in the locker room and the feeling like something bigger was happening. I walked in and I remember tom peabody was crying and so was the other guys. I didn’t understand. I’d never experienced anyone really close to me die as I was a 11 year old kid. Sure people died who were friends of my my parents or older people in the community but never had a person I considered a friend, a person I looked up to with such high regard as Hank die so I wouldn’t believe that was possible. I called my dad and told him what happened to Hank and that the game was called and it was time to pick me up.

I remember coming home to our house and talking to my parents about what happened. I told them that Hank had a huge dunk then ran to half court and collapsed because of his heart. I told them when they picked hank up and carried him away I did what I always did when a player fell- I ran out and tried to quickly wipe up the floor where he laid. It took longer than usual as hank’s 6-7 inch frame laid there for a while. I remember seeing Brian Quinn the Athletic Director and his expression was not normal. I said all the players were crying. My dad turned the Laker game on and that’s when it all changed. That’s when I was hit like a ton of bricks with news that I never could prepare for as a young kid, never would let myself believe. Chick Hearn announced right there in front of my dad and myself and my mother that LMU basketball Star Hank Gathers was pronounced dead after collapsing during a basketball game at Gerston Pavillion. I heard it and I can remember it like it was yesterday. I lost control as I cried uncontrollably and ran to my room. I was DEVASTATED.

Hank had an affect on people that knew him that made every person feel like they were so special. He was so funny and would make you feel important. I was a young kid and ballboy and he didn’t treat us like we were nobody’s. He always played with us, joked with us, and smiled with that smile that would light up a room. He winked at us when he’d make a good play or win a game and he made us feel part of the team, part of what coach Westhead and the team was trying to do. That team, that season, the run and gun, full court press, was the most exciting team to watch. It feels strange 20 years later and writing from the perspective of when I was 11 years old however the life and death of Hank Gathers paved a path for me that I know Hank would be proud of. I never heard of or knew anyone ever to say a bad thing about this man. He was bigger than life yet he related with so many people. He didn’t act as if he was bigger or better than any person. He was. I like many many other’s may have lost a friend, an idol, a person we thought so highly of. I also believe Hanks death helped a lot of people. He inspired me and continues to to this day. It’ll be 20 years since he died and the memory of #44 is bright and shining to this day. Not his death but him as a person. I hope all the kid’s out there wanting to fulfill a dream no matter if it’s on the basketball court or not read the book on Hank Gather’s life coming out at the beginning of the year. I can’t wait and one day my children will learn about Hank as he’s a man that any parent would be proud to have and a man who will continue to inspire people to set a goal and work hard to achieve it. As long as you have the Heart of a Lion anything in life is possible. Hank showed us that and although we lost him to soon still 20 years later he’s a part of my life. Rest in peace big man and Thank you for gracing all of us, albeit short, as you touched our lives.

By: SNOOP

SNOOP — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:30:38 +0000

This is an article that all of the youth that continue to play at the Hank Gathers center should be required to read. This will hopefully help them understand and appreciate that they are playing in a historical site and representing a historical figure. There are many of our youth that don’t understand the responsibilties that come with living and playing basketball in the great city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia is rich with basketball history and Hank was one of our historical golden boys. My son will be required to read this article today.

Thanks Hank - For everything!
Snoop - Philly Rockets

By: mrd

mrd — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:28:59 +0000

It was the of 88 and a ref didnt show up for a outdoor playground game and i was asked to ref the game in the Logan section of Philadelphia near Olney Ave and home for the summer was Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble who played in this game. At the time Hank led the nation in scoring and was playing at this badly painted playground with bad lights and against alot of local kats from the area. It was a night I’ll never forget. They were workin it out. Alley ops, 3 pointers, just some special basketball.