Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
🏀 La Salle Explorers

A big piece of Philadelphia’s Big 5, the La Salle Explorers are a storied mid-major team that represents the city’s northside. Since 1998, the Explorers have played at Tom Gola Arena – named after a legendary former player and head coach – which holds 3,000 fans. It was completely gutted for a 2024 remodel that brought major changes to both the facility and the program. Coinciding with the renovation was the rebranding of the gym as John Glaser Arena to honor the man whose generous donations drove the venue upgrades.

The Explorers hadn’t played on-campus since 1955, when they transitioned to a shared floor at The Palestra. Later, the team would compete at the Civic Center and then the Spectrum, playing second fiddle at those arenas to the NBA’s 76ers. The construction of Tom Gola Arena in 1998 ushered in a new era for the program and signaled their return to the La Salle grounds.

The venue’s overhaul, which wrapped prior the 2024-25 season, saw the debut of a new multi-level setup and seats behind the baskets – something severely lacking in the old arrangement. The rotation of the court by 90 degrees helped facilitate these changes, but also led to some quirks, such as fans needing to walk along the baselines in order to get to the other side of the floor.

The split-level design allows space for a few concession stands and merch areas, which oppose large bay windows that overlook the campus. At court level, some concessions are also wedged weirdly into the corners, giving fans some options that don’t require them to cross the court.

Detached from the main gym is the Hall of Athletes, a museum-like area that touches on the accomplishments and awards won by La Salle student-athletes across all sports. Inductees into the school’s sports hall of fame line the walls, and a special section highlights the arena’s former namesake, Tom Gola. Elsewhere, retired numbers for both men’s and women’s basketball made from old floorboards are on display in the stairway alcoves, and history cases show off some of the hardware won by the Explorers over the years.

La Salle is among the few teams to have won it all, securing a National Championship title in 1954 and finishing as runners-up in 1955. Although the Explorers haven’t had nearly that much success in the decades since, they’ve still appeared in the NCAA Tournament more than a dozen times, hoping to one day recapture the glory of yesteryear.