Loyola Marymount Lions 20th Anniversary Gersten Pavilion Engraved Original Center Court Floor Piece With Heart of a Lion

Built in 1981, the Gersten Pavilion has been the home to both men’s and women’s Loyola-Marymount basketball teams. The first game played (January 15, 1981) was between the Lions and Santa Clara Broncos, a game the Broncos won 83-68. However, the Lions quickly bounced back from this defeat, beating the St. Mary basketball team only eight days later. Since then, the Pavilion has housed the Lions’ basketball home games, including several games which exceeded its seating capacity to standing room only crowds. During the quarterfinal of the 1990 WCC tournament, Hank Gathers, star player of the Lions, collapsed during the game and eventually died due to complications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This tragedy touched the hearts of college sports fans all over the nation and continues to be one of the most unforgettable moments in sports history. Even though the sudden death of their former teammate came as a blow to them, the Lions didn’t give up. They fought to the Elite Eight of the 1990 NCAA Basketball tournament, where they were ultimately defeated by the eventual champions of the tournament, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. Still, what the sports world remembers most about the tournament is the tragedy of Gathers’ death during the tournament — and a Lions basketball team that refused to quit. This authentic center court floor piece (pulled from the Pavilion) is a tribute to Hank Gathers and the 1989-1990 Lions men’s basketball team. Engraved with both a Loyola-Marymount Lions wordmark and years detailing the span it was installed at the Gersten Pavilion, this floor piece makes a fitting way to commemorate Hank Gathers, as well as past, present and future Lions. This center court pieces is a limited edition of 186. Also included in this pack is “Heart of a Lion,” a book detailing the life of Hank Gathers as well as the 1989-1990 Lions men’s basketball team. It’s the definitive volume of Gathers’ short, but inspirational life and time as a Loyola-Marymount Lion. The copy which comes with the floor piece is signed by freelance writer and author of the book, Kyle Keiderling.