The system. Mind boggling numbers. Personalities. Match-ups. The tragedy. Emotion. Perserverence. A tribute.
And it all came together in one magical season that captivated the nation.
IT WAS LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE

The 2009-10 college basketball season celebrates the 20th anniversary of the 1989-90 LMU men's basketball team. A team that captured the heart of a nation with its magical run into the NCAA tournament. Take a journey through of the most memorable moments in college basketball - if not sports - history.

Special Celebration: www.89-90LMULions.com
During the 2009-10 LMU Basketball Season, the Lions will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1989-90 LMU Men's Basketball Team. The celebration was highlighted by 2010 Homecoming - which celebrated the return of the team to campus with a weekend of Homecoming Activities. The culmination of the event was the homecoming game featuring the Lions taking on Saint Mary's on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. The game aired live on Fox Sports Net West and featured a halftime ceremony honoring the team. 

Information and links from Homecoming 2010 and the 20th Anniversary, click on the links below:

• March 3 - Coverage of 1989-90 Lions 20 Years Later

• Feb. 16 - Kimble to be inducted into WCC Hall of Honor

• Feb. 4 - Relive Homecoming 2010

• Jan. 22 - Homecoming 2010: A 20th Anniversary Celebration

History of the Season
For over a decade, Alan Drooz covered the Lions for the Los Angeles Times. He was there from the beginning, saw the foundation put into place when Westhead arrived. He was there for every fast-break, every dunk, every tear. His articles chronicled the incredible story that was the 1989-90 Lions. For Drooz, he saw each event lead into one another and, 20 years later, for the newspaper writer with more than 30 years experience, there will never be anything like it. When asked what that 1989-90 season was like, he said "It was like Lightning in a Bottle. There aren't too many days that go by that I don't think about that team, about that season, about Hank and what transpired. I have never covered anything like it since."

In celebrating that team 20 years later, we talked with Drooz about that magical season and used what he and other national writers wrote throughout that season to chronicle how special the 1989-90 LMU Lions were to the world of college basketball, to the inner city of Philadelphia and to the small Jesuit school on the bluff in southern California. Enjoy the ride of what was one of the most memorable seasons in college basketball history.

Looking Back 20 years - Walk through the 1989-90 Season through the memories of Alan Drooz:

The Basics - Roster, Stats, Schedule, and more...
• The Roster
• The Schedule/Results with Box Scores
• The Final Stats
• The Records - NCAA Record Book

Photo Gallery
Take a look at the 1989-90 LMU men's basketball season through the LMU athletics' department photo archives in this special photo gallery.

Own a piece of history
Visit the special 20th Anniversary Online Store selling limited edition items commemorating the 1989-90 LMU men's basketball team. Items include:

• 20th Anniversary Commemorative Pack
• The Heart of A New - A new book about the life of Hank Gathers
• Authentic Original Gersten Pavilion floor pieces
• Authentic Throw-back #44 Jersey

LMU Men's Basketball HOME

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