Comments on: Throwback Thursday: Hank Gathers

By: dwayne a butler

dwayne a butler — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:45:13 +0000

i remember growing up in Logan with some of the best ball players in the city.when Hank played in our leagues he would fill the park.i aslo remember him bringing the ball up court drinking a soda while a guy way defending him.Hank was one of the best to ever to come out of Phill hands down.now bring that up in a barber shop and see what will take place.

By: Ron Glover

Ron Glover — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:04:21 +0000

I’ll look for his email address and forward it to you.

By: Bijan C. Bayne

Bijan C. Bayne — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:48:37 +0000

Do you know how to reach Kiederling? I’m a sports author, and want to ask him a question about his publisher.

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.

By: Mike Cervellino

Mike Cervellino — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:56:18 +0000

First off, let me say that this was a very moving tribute to a wonderful person who was taken from us all too soon. I got on board the LMU express as soon as Hank and Bo were eligible as sophomores and their NCAA games against Wyoming with Fennis Dembo and North Carolina. I remember Bo cracked a kneecap and redshirted at one point and Hank carried that team through the season. He was a one man gang in the paint at 6’7. His senior year I vividly remember the games against UNLV, Gary Payton and Oregon State, LSU, and the Philly games. I lived for those LMU games and Hank Gathers was far and away my favorite college player of all time. What struck me about him was his ferocity on the court, yet profound gentleness and compassion off it especially with kids. Hank’s passing saddened me as if I had lost a close friend. We had mutual friends, but I never had the privilege of meeting Hank. Since then, I’ve moved into the coaching arena at several levels, the last decade as an AAU coach here in NJ. I’ve had the privilege of coaching over 50 Division 1 players, with several collegiate All Americans and NBA and overseas professionals among them.
I never cease to tell them the story of Mr. Gathers, a man who played the game the right way, hard and clean. Losing was never an option and he left everything out there. Young people today take too much for granted and don’t always enjoy or respect the game as they should. So I tell them the story of Hank, the “Bankman” as Paul Westhead called him, who LMU went to “for points, for rebounds, for life.” Hank called himself the strongest man in the world. He may well have been.

By: Peter Vasil

Peter Vasil — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:03:03 +0000

i didint know Hank Gathers but im reading the book right now on his life that he had and how he was raised growing up and his tragic death he had he was a warrior and very aggressive on the court can flat out score and rebound its a shame of what happened but i guess it was meant to be he was a great player with heart love you Hank Gathers

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:27:41 +0000

I happen to come upon this article on a day that I needed to remember how fragile life is. I was a huge Loyola fan back then and I too was 17 when Hank died. I knew him personally because my dad worked at Loyola announcing games for several years on the local channel. I hope that all who read your article are inspired and will have a small glimpse into the man and awesome basketball player that he was. I am not sure that Loyola still displays the banner and the memorial bench that was dedicated to him and his teammates that continued to play that year. Loyola went on to the final eight teams in the NCAA tournament that year. There love for Hank and their dedication to his memory was clearly demonstrated when they continued to play that year. As a parent myself now I can only imagine the pain that his mother must still feel everyday that she wakes up without her son. I saw the sadness in her eyes when I attended the memorial service at Loyola (and a packed house the gym was). The crowd chanted as Bo gave his final goodbyes…. We love you Hank. Tears rolled down my face and I will never forget him or that season. I only hope that his memory will never be forgotten… he truely had the “heart of a lion”.

By: Samuel Kemp

Samuel Kemp — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:51:19 +0000

I enjoyed reading the tribute to Hank Gathers and was deeply saddened when he died. I became a fan of Loyola Marymount because of him.

I live in Baton Rouge and will never forget the night they played LSU. I was pulling for the Tigers, ofcourse, but Marymount gained my respect. Not only I, but the city was in shock and saddened. Coach Dale Brown said he was one of the best, if not the best player he had ever seen.

Players like Hank Gathers come around once. Not only the quality of his on field play, but the qualities I heard he possessed as a person were just as great.

The Friendship between Bo Kimble and he was so evident after his death. I’ve never seen a young man so hurt over the loss of a friend. I know they talked about the future and what it would hold. Two Great players from a lesser known college lighting up the the Pros.

It was not to be. God had others plans. I’m an Ordained Minister and I sometimes don’t have the answers to why God takes some and leave others. I can tell you this; The Testimony and Legacy he left is an example for others. Maybe this is what God had planned!

By: BALLDUST

BALLDUST — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:33:07 +0000

I REMEMBER SEEING HANK PLAYED 1 GAME, CAN’T REMEMBER AGANIST WHICH TEAM, BUT HE WAS THE BEST PLAYER I HAVE EVER SEEN IN COLLEGE. HE WAS GREAT.