Ernie “Pop” Lewis, 51, passed away Wednesday at home with his family in Philadelphia. The former Friars legend was a critical part of Providence’s magical run to the Final Four in 1987.
Lewis averaged 11.8 points per game and 4.2 rebounds during the 1986-87 season and was co-captain of the Friars team that lost to Syracuse in the Final Four game, completing a stellar 25-9 record for the season.
As the 1986-87 season was the first to incorporate the 3-point shot into the College game, Lewis instantly became one of the first three-point sharpshooters in the country, connecting on 42% in the inaugural three-pointer season.
Perhaps most famously, “Pop” drained a game-winning three from the corner in a game against Georgetown in the final seconds to knock off the nationally-ranked Hoya powerhouse. That shot remains one of the most memorable and historic in the history of Friars basketball.
We unfortunately lost a member of the Friar Family with the passing of Ernie “Pop” Lewis ’87 yesterday.https://t.co/PqwC3HnYwl pic.twitter.com/ISWxVmHt92
— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) January 11, 2018
From all accounts of people recounting “Pop,” he was an even better person than he was a basketball player. The soft-spoken guy who you would never know was a star basketball player when you saw him around campus and just an all-around great guy in every way.
Here are some nice words from around Twitter and other places about the Providence star.
“Pop had a kind soul. Everybody loved Pop.” – Former Friars teammate Harold Starks
Ernie “Pop” Lewis, former Providence College Player was a Winner, 3 Point Knock Down Shooter and a People Magnet. I had the privilege to coach him w/ the Friars. His Teammates loved him, Final Four 1987.”Forever Hoopin,” R.I.P.
— Gordon Chiesa (@gchiesaohmy) January 11, 2018
Rest In Peace Ernie “Pop” Lewis…#friarfamily
— Doris Burke (@heydb) January 11, 2018
Prayers go out to the family of Pop Lewis. Always hurts to lose a member of Friar family.
— Ed Cooley (@CoachCooleyPC) January 12, 2018
Pop Lewis made many Friar fans for life with his memorable shot. Blessed to have spent a lot of time with him at the 20th Anniversary of the 1987 Final Four Team. A wonderful, soft spoken person. Gone too soon. RIP #gofriars
— Steven Napolillo (@nap16) January 11, 2018
Extremely sadden by the death of “Pop” Lewis. Prayers and condolences to his family. RIP Pop https://t.co/Ci3kUmKtha
— Stu Jackson (@StuJackson32) January 11, 2018
R.I.P. Pop. Once A Friar, Always A Friar.
The Morning Hangover 
I Ron Jackson, was blessed and honored to be a part of the recruiting process of “Pop” Lewis, and blessed even more by his image, character, intellect, and class. HIS AURA WAS IMPECCABLE, HIS SMILE BRIGHTENED EVERY SPACE HE ENTERED, AND HIS SPIRIT WAS ALWAYS POSITIVE. Gone too soon, but he blessed many lives, including mine!!
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Thanks for the comment Ron! I’ve heard nothing but great things about Pop and it’s wonderful that he was able to touch so many people and leave lasting memories with all of them. So sorry for your loss, hope you’re doing well!
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