Presented is a 1955 Tom Gola trophy presented to the Philadelphia, PA native by the Catholic War Veterans Philadelphia County Chapter. The 20-inch high trophy incorporates an 8½-inch gold metal figure of a basketball player with his left arm raised high over his head holding a basketball. The figure sits atop a 2-inch gold metal pedestal atop a 6½ -inch gold metal cup. The cup is mounted on a 4-inch black plastic base. The front of the base features a 2 x 9¼-inch gold metal plaque engraved with the legend “Catholic War Veterans Phila. County Chapter Outstanding Catholic Athlete Annual Award 1955 – Tom Gola”.  Gola was praised as a great all-around player as a high school student at La Salle College High School, where he led the Explorers to a Philadelphia Catholic League Championship. Gola was one of the most talented collegiate athletes in Philadelphia sports history. He came to national attention while playing for his hometown La Salle University Explorers men's basketball team. Gola starred as a college freshman and led La Salle to the 1952 NIT championship. Gola paced the Explorers to the NCAA basketball championship in 1954 and was named Tournament MVP. That same season he was selected as National Player of the Year. As a senior, Gola helped La Salle finish as the runner-up in the 1955 NCAA Tournament. This item comes with a LOA from the Tom Gola Estate.

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