Thieves Broke Into Lower Merion HS And Walked Away With A Bunch Of Kobe Bryant's Old Stuff
LMHS – Dear Lower Merion HS Community,
I regret to inform you that last night thieves broke into our school and stole a number of items from the Kobe Bryant display case outside the Bryant Gymnasium. The items included Kobe’s framed high school replica jersey, the 1996 PIAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy and net, programs from the state and district title games, a proclamation from the Pennsylvania State House honoring the 1996 team as well as several pairs of signed Nike sneakers. Local law enforcement is investigating the matter and is reviewing surveillance video from inside and outside the school in an aggressive effort to identify those responsible for this crime.
While the items from the case are not of substantial monetary value, they do have a great deal of sentimental importance. They represent a wonderful time of accomplishment, unity and pride for our school community — the 1996 state championship — and celebrate an alumnus who has made significant and lasting contributions to our school and the sports world. The “Kobe Showcase” has become a unique point of pride for our school and even a tourist attraction; many basketball fans from all over the world visit our school each year to take photos in front of the display and leave even more impressed by the warmth, kindness and spirit of LM students and staff.
We are saddened and angered that our school has been vandalized, but we are grateful that no one was harmed during the incident last night. Material items can be replaced and we will make every effort to restore and even enhance the contents of the case with the help of alumni and friends. And even if we cannot replace all the items, the moments that produced them are still very much alive in our memories and honored through the ongoing traditions of Aces Nation.
If for any reason you may have information related to this incident, please contact us or the Lower Merion police at (610) 649-1000. Thank you for your consideration and support.
Sincerely,
Sean Hughes
Principal
Don Walsh
Director of Athletics & Activities
Gotta admit, I’m actually shocked this hasn’t happened already. That stuff was just sitting there in a glass case that’s accessible to anyone with a screwdriver and the right amount of chromosomes. The only thing they had to worry about is cameras and the adult hall monitor who takes their job WAY too seriously. And it’s not like these guys have to worry about Kobe pulling an OJ to get his memorabilia back. It sucks for Lower Merion and I’m not condoning violation of the 8th Commandment, but this was a textbook cat burglary.
And for people who don’t know, Kobe was a local Philly legend in the mean streets golden paved roads of Lower Merion High School. And I mean LEGEND. Screw his incredible basketball skills and going directly to the NBA. He had it all outside of the game already. The dude took Brandy to prom for Christ’s sake. Obviously he was a bit before my athletic glory days, but everyone who played ball in the area during the ’90’s has their own Kobe story. The hardos would make up how they once crossed him up. The honest ones would retell how they got posterized to hell. Still, it’s pretty damn cool to have one of the greatest NBA players in history to grow up right around the corner. 2nd to only Overbrook’s Wilt The Stilt. The Sixers had to take AI #1 overall in that ’96 draft, but dammit, Kobe would’ve been immortal if he found a way to stay in town.