Loyola Marymount University on Feb. 29 will unveil a statue of the late college basketball legend Hank Gathers, who was part of the record-breaking, high-scoring 1989-90 team that became one of the most unforgettable and inspiring stories in college basketball history. This men’s college basketball season marks the 30th anniversary of the Lions magical run to the Elite Eight after Gathers’ tragic death after collapsing on the court.
The statue will be dedicated in front of LMU’s Gersten Pavilion at 4 p.m., prior to the Lions’ final regular season home game against San Francisco at 5 p.m. Former LMU head basketball coach Paul Westhead and members of the 1989-90 team will be on campus for the ceremony and game. The team will be recognized at center court at halftime. In recognition of the 1989-90 team’s unprecedented accomplishments, current players will wear special edition throwback uniforms.
The statue was created by the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany, which has designed notable sports pieces including statues at the Staples Center and the Michael Jordan statue in Chicago. The Gathers family was invited to preview the statue in progress, and LMU captured his mother, Lucille’s first impressions in this touching video.
Donations are being accepted to help fund the statue, including the opportunity for donor’s names to be etched on the statue’s base.
