rambler report - october 2015

finding the right mixBlending returning starters & talented newcomers,

women’s volleyball off to best start since 2002

October 2015

inside:Fall Sports Recaps

Loyola Assistants reflect on 9/11 anniversary

swoopes honored with pioneer award

Freshman Elayna Bowser led the way for the Rambler lineup in the Loyola Fall Invitational at Flossmoor Country Club in September. Bowser twice carded a four-over 77 en route to a seventh-place overall finish. Loyola finished third in the ten-team field.

freshman focus

A horde of ramblers The men’s cross country team prepares

for its season-opening meet at the Badger Opener in Madison, Wisconsin. Both

the men’s and women’s squads finished second in the event, with Mitch Baum

(#428, center) capturing the title in the men’s race for his first collegiate victory.

give me a smileSophomore Maddie Ford has a stranglehold on the Missouri Valley Conference’s Goalkeeper of the Week honor, having claimed the honor three times in the first six weeks of the season. Ford sits atop the Valley charts in goals against average (0.87), save percentage (0.842), and shutouts (6).

Fall SportS UpdateS

Rambler Report • October 2015 •

Sizzling is one word to describe the way the Loyola women’s volleyball team has started the 2015 season. The squad raced out to an impressive 14-3 mark, the best program start since the 2002 season, when the Ramblers would go on to a 27-5 record and a Horizon League championship. In the NCAA’s first RPI report released Monday, Loyola sits at No. 85, one of six Valley schools in the top 85.

After beginning the year 1-2 in their own host tournament, the Ramblers reeled off 11 consecutive wins, the longest winning streak since 2002 and third longest in program history. Loyola rolled through the Hampton Inn Invitational at Bowling Green, the Valparaiso Popcorn Classic, and the Cornell Invitational, only dropping three sets in the 10 tournament matches.

Senior Maureen Carls tallied 23 kills and six blocks during the Hampton Inn Invitational to earn the tournament’s MVP award, while junior Morgan Reardon was named MVP of both the Popcorn Classic and the Cornell Invitational. Reardon has continued her fine Rambler career, leading the team with a 3.09 kills per set average and currently second on the team with 169 digs. The improvement to her defensive game has got the attention around the league as she earned Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after the Popcorn Classic tournament.

After downing Evansville and Southern Illinois last weekend on the road, the Ramblers sit in second place in the MVC standings with a 3-1 record. Loyola, tabbed for seventh place in the Valley’s preseason coaches poll, has been the surprise of the season in the conference thus far after finishing 9-19 in 2014.

The Ramblers, tops in the conference in hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage, assists and service aces, have received a number of key contributions from newcomers, including freshmen Amanda Cushen and Gabi

Maciagowski. Cushen is third on the team with a 2.51 kills per set average and was named the conference’s Freshman of the Week after the Hampton Inn Invitational. The Colorado-native fired 36 kills to only five errors in the three matches of the tournament, hitting at a terrific .383 percentage. Loyola has relied on Maciagowski from the beginning of the season, as the freshman is second on the team in sets played and first on the team with 43 blocks.

upcoming schedule:Oct. 9 - vs. Illinois State, 7pmOct. 10 - vs. Indiana State, 4pmOct. 16 - @ Missouri State, 7pmOct. 17 - @ Wichita State, 7pmOct. 20 - vs. Northern Iowa, 6pmOct. 24 - vs. Bradley, 4pmOct. 30 - vs. Southern Illinois, 7pmOct. 31 - vs. Evansville, 7pm

MVC conference standings:School Conference OverallMissouri State 3-0 12-4Loyola 3-1 14-3Wichita State 2-1 11-6Drake 3-2 12-10Northern Iowa 3-2 9-9Illinois State 2-2 12-5Southern Illinois 2-2 11-6Indiana State 1-3 12-7Evansville 1-3 7-11Bradley 0-4 5-11

ramblers race out to program's best start in 13 seasonsLoyola wins 11 straight en route to 14-3 record

Senior Maureen Carls

Junior Morgan Reardon

Fall SportS UpdateS


baum excelling on & off courseSenior Mitch Baum has raced out to a fast start this cross country season, leading the Rambler men in each of their first four meets this season, including his first collegiate title at the Badger Season Opener.

Baum is turning in exceptional performances academically as well and his efforts were rewarded with his first Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week

award in September. One of three Loyola student-athletes in the prestigious Maroon & Gold Society, Baum holds a 3.75 GPA as a math and secondary education double major.

The men’s team has made encouraging strides this fall, with a second-place finish at the Badger Season Opener, third-place marks at both the Illinois State Invite and the National Catholic Championships, and a 16th-place finish in a stacked 24-team field in the Greater Louisville Classic.

The Rambler women have captured a team title this season with its first-place finish at the Illinois State Invite. Senior Sydney Stuenkel has returned from injury to pace Loyola, finishing fourth at the Badger Season Opener and fifth at Illinois State. Loyola acquitted itself well against tough competition last weekend at the Greater Louisville Classic, turning in a 15th-place finish in the 30-team field, which included six schools that are nationally ranked.

The Ramblers have two more tune-ups before postseason meets begin at the end of the month.

upcoming schedule:Oct. 16 – Bradley Classic (Peoria, IL)Oct. 23 – Illini Open (Urbana, IL)Oct. 31 – Missouri Valley Championships (Evansville, IN)Nov. 13 – NCAA Midwest Regional (Lawrence, KS)Nov. 21 – NCAA Championships (Louisville, KY)

Golf Newcomers leading ramblersFreshmen Orion Yamat and Elayna Bowser have started their Loyola careers on the right foot, each leading the Ramblers in stroke average through the first three events in the fall season.

Bowser, a Dearborn, Michigan native, was the top finisher for Loyola in both the Redbird Invitational and the Loyola Fall Invitational, finishing 7th and 17th respectively. Her 77.1 average is the best of any Rambler. In each event this season, the Loyola women have saved their best golf for the final day, vaulting the Ramblers into a ninth-place finish in the 16-team Redbird Invitational field and a third-place finish in the 10-team Loyola Fall Invitational.

On the men’s side, Yamat is currently sitting at a 75.3 stroke average to begin the season, best of any Rambler. The Niles, Illinois native, who qualified for match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur this summer, fired an impressive one-under-par 70 during first-round play of the Windon Memorial two weeks ago.

Sophomore Garret Buckley was named the Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week in early September after carding a 218 that earned him a share of 12th place at the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate.

upcoming schedule:Oct. 12-13 – Whistling Straits Intercollegiate, Sheboygan, Wisconsin (M/W)Oct. 19-20 – Dayton Flyer Invitational, Kettering, OH (M)Oct. 26-27 – Braun Intercollegiate, Evansville, IN (W)

Senior Mitch Baum

Freshman Orion Yamat

rambler proFileS


While the country took time last month to pause and collectively reflect upon the tragic events that occurred 14 years ago in New York, Washington D.C. and Somerset County, Pa., for two members of Loyola’s athletic department those sentiments are a part of their everyday lives as members of civil service.

Softball volunteer assistant coach Brian Freese and track & field volunteer assistant coach Pat McGarry offer their time to help mentor Rambler student-athletes but it is away from the diamond and infield where they truly make their mark.

Freese has been a firefighter and paramedic for the Village of Palatine since 2007, beginning his career in 2001 as a volunteer fireman. Helping people and serving others has been a way of life for Freese, whose father was a firefighter for over 30 years. He took part in Palatine’s remembrance of 9/11, which included a ceremony in its downtown area.

“It is humbling,” said Freese, when asked about being in civil service on Sept. 11. “The sacrifices that they (NYFD and NYPD) made that day, not knowing if or when the buildings would collapse are unbelievable. It was clearly in their DNA to continue and, for us in the fraternity, there is nothing greater than trying to help others, regardless of the situation and whether lives were lost.”

“Loyola gives me something else to focus on, something else that I love,” continued Freese, when asked about his role at Loyola, where he is entering his second year. “Even though I believe that I have the best job in the world, coaching at Loyola puts a lot of things in perspective for me.”

McGarry has similar sentiments and he is in his 11th year as a member of the Chicago Police Department and his

10th on staff with Loyola’s track and field program. Last season, under his tutelage, Alison Szykowny became the first Loyola thrower to earn All-American status.

“One of the things I really enjoy about both jobs is the people I work with,” said McGarry. “Being in law enforcement is very rewarding for me. It is certainly not for everyone and it takes a different mentality to go into it.”

For McGarry too, the anniversary of Sept. 11 was a time for introspection.

“I had an opportunity to meet some of the law enforcement men and women who were at Ground Zero and see how it affected them,” continued McGarry. “What they went through that day, and have gone through in the years afterwards, is incredible and the volunteers who went down there to help do not get enough credit.”

He also feels fortunate that he has two jobs where the primary focus is helping people, albeit in different ways and under different circumstances.

“As a police officer, part of my job is to help others, send a positive message and encourage people to make good decisions,” states McGarry. “Those three things are also part of my job at Loyola, where the people create a positive atmosphere for hard-working young people to better themselves.”

Sept. 11 anniversary hits home for two loyola assistants Pair committed to life in civil service

Brian Freese, far left

Pat McGarry


baSketball tip-oFF lUncheon

annual event set for oct. 21The annual Loyola Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon moves to a new location this year to accommodate a larger crowd in 2015. The event is set for October 21 at 11:30 a.m. at The Montgomery Club in River North, a luxurious private event venue and the newest addition to the Gibsons Restaurant Group.

Athletic Director Steve Watson will emcee the event, while Porter Moser and Sheryl Swoopes, head coaches of the Loyola Basketball programs, will be on hand to preview their upcoming seasons.

Tickets, which include a plated lunch from Gibsons iconic menu, a cash bar, and a chance to win Loyola raffle prizes, are $45 for an individual or $400 for a table of 10. To register, call 773.508.WOLF or visit loyolaramblers.com.

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Fall SportS UpdateS

In its last eight contests, the Loyola men’s soccer team has compiled a 5-1-2 ledger, including wins over Fordham, DePaul, and Evansville at Loyola Soccer Park to extend its home unbeaten streak to 15 games. The victory over DePaul was the Ramblers first against its city rival since 2007.

The Loyola offensive attack has been relentless and balanced this season, with nine different Ramblers finding the back of the net and Loyola outshooting opponents 113-76. Redshirt senior Ben Crognale is one of those Ramblers with a goal, a game-winner to defeat Stetson and earn the midfielder Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player

of the Week honors.

The Rambler defense has been its typical stingy self, leading the Valley in goals against average and tied for the fewest overall goals allowed. Senior Tim Dobrowolski has minded the net to the tune of a 0.58 goals against average and four shutouts, both good for second in the conference.

In addition to strong performances on the pitch, Loyola is impressing in the classroom as well. For the fifth consecutive year the Loyola University Chicago men’s team was recently recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) with the 2014-15 Team Academic Award. Redshirt senior Eric Schoendorf became the second Rambler in the fall to earn the Missouri Valley Conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Week honor, joining senior Mitch Baum of the cross country team. Schoendorf owns a 3.75 GPA as an accounting and finance double major in the Quinlan School of Business.

upcoming schedule:Oct. 10- @ Missouri State, 7pmOct. 13- @ UIC, 7pmOct. 17- vs. Central Arkansas, 7pmOct. 21- @ Northern Illinois, 7pmOct. 27- vs. Northwestern, 7pmOct. 31- vs. Drake, 7pmNov. 7 - @ SIU Edwardsville, 7pmNov. 11-15 - MVC Tournament, Edwardsville, IL

MVC conference standings:School Conference OverallDrake 2-0-0 7-2-0Bradley 1-0-0 4-6-0SIU Edwardsville 1-1-0 5-3-1Loyola 1-1-0 5-3-2Missouri State 1-1-0 3-4-2Evansville 0-2-0 2-7-0Central Arkansas 0-1-0 1-9-0


ramblers defending home turfloyola extends home unbeaten streak to 15

Senior Ben Crognale

Senior Tim Dobrowolski

Add the women’s soccer squad to the list of rapidly improving Loyola programs in their third season of Missouri Valley Conference play. The Ramblers, having already surpassed their win total from a year ago, currently own a 6-4-3 record and sit in second place in the conference standings.

Loyola has posted a number of impressive results thus far, including victories over South Dakota State, a 2014 NCAA tournament team, and Milwaukee, a team it hasn’t beaten on the road since 1994. The Ramblers have also grinded out draws against nationally-ranked DePaul and preseason MVC favorites Evansville.

Sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Ford has been

the defensive anchor this season, with three MVC Goalkeeper of the Week awards to her name already. Ford recorded her sixth shutout of the season against Missouri State last weekend in a 3-0 thumping of the Bears. Through nine starts this year, Ford leads the league in goals against average (0.87), save percentage (0.842), and shutouts (6). She is two clean sheets shy of tying Loyola’s single season record in the category, currently held by Emily Peick and Monica Gonyo.

Adding to the accolades, junior Shelby Koch was selected to College Soccer 360’s National Primetime Performers Honor Roll of the week in September. Koch has a pair of goals this year, including the game-winner in the thrilling 3-2 win at Milwaukee. Freshman Jenna Szczesny has been sensational offensively this year, leading the team with four goals and tied for the team lead with two assists.

Loyola steps outside of conference play this week with a pair of matchups with Horizon League foes, before finishing the regular season with three Missouri Valley Conference games.

Upcoming schedule: Oct. 7 - vs. UIC, 7pmOct. 11 - @ Valparaiso, 1pmOct. 17 - @ Drake, 7pmOct. 24 - vs. Indiana State, 7pmOct. 29 - vs. Northern Iowa, 6pm

MVC conference standings:School Conference OverallDrake 2-0-0 5-7-0Loyola 1-1-1 6-4-3Missouri State 1-1-0 7-4-1Northern Iowa 1-1-0 5-5-3Illinois State 1-1-0 4-7-2Evansville 0-1-1 2-8-2Indiana State 0-1-0 5-7-0

Replace the lace The Loyola women’s soccer team wore yellow shoelaces during its game with Depaul on September 17 in support of Compass to Care, an organization dedicated to helping children and their families travel to hospitals for life-saving cancer treatments. For more information, visit compasstocare.org.


Fall SportS UpdateS loyola making strides in 2015Ramblers second in the league at the mid-point of the valley schedule

Junior Shelby Koch

newS From the UniverSity


Loyola University Chicago is No. 99 on the latest U.S. News & World Report college rankings—the first time ever that the University has cracked the Top 100 list.

With 1,376 schools included in the latest rankings, the new

list puts Loyola in elite company among national universities. Loyola is also one of only four universities in Illinois to break into the Top 100 this year.

Just a few years ago, the University was ranked No. 119 on the list.

“Over the past few years, Loyola has placed a strong emphasis on the quality of the undergraduate educational experience,” Interim President John P. Pelissero, PhD, said. “I believe that our efforts were noticed by our peers, high school counselors, and prospective students.”

Among the recent efforts, Pelissero said, are improved strategies to increase student retention and graduation rates; a new Loyola Experience program to help students get the most out of their education; and a revised Core Curriculum. The University also has added faculty and is using more full-time professors to teach its Core and introductory courses.

Students and faculty were quick to rally behind the new ranking.

“I feel that we’re finally getting the recognition we deserve for our academics,” said Veronica Krysa, a senior majoring in marketing and management. “It definitely feels nice to be in the Top 100.”

Quinlan School of Business Professor Nenad Jukic, who has been teaching at Loyola since 1999, agreed.

“This is a validation of all the great work we do with students here,” said Jukic, the 2014 Faculty Member of the Year. “I am not at all surprised that we are one of the best universities in the country. We absolutely belong in the Top 100. I can honestly look at any parent and tell them, ‘This is a great place to send your child.’ ”

About the rankingsThe U.S. News & World Report rankings take into account several factors, from student retention and graduation rates to peer assessments by fellow university administrators. The rankings are divided into four categories: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges.

Loyola is grouped with other national universities, which offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs. These universities also emphasize faculty research.

And while U.S. News & World Report stresses that its rankings shouldn’t be the only thing students use when deciding on a university, the organization does say “our rankings can be a powerful tool in (the) quest for the right college.”

loyola breaks into the top 100 listU.S. News & World Report features loyola in its annual college rankings

rambler proFileS


Swoopes honored with pioneer award four-time wnba champion, three-time olympic gold medalist set to begin third season at loyola

Loyola head women’s basketball coach Sheryl Swoopes has been recognized with the Boost Mobile Pioneer Award by the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Swoopes, who is preparing to begin her third season at the head of the Rambler bench, received the award at the WNBA Inspiring Women Luncheon presented by ESPN on Sept. 28 in New York City.

Prior to arriving at Loyola, Swoopes enjoyed success on the collegiate, professional and international levels. The Brownfield, Texas native put together two remarkable seasons at Texas Tech University (1991-93), leading the Red Raiders to the 1993 National Championship en route to being named the Naismith National Player of the Year

following the conclusion of the season. Swoopes poured in an NCAA Championship game record 47 points in Texas Tech’s 84-82 triumph over Ohio State and was tabbed as the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Final Four that year.

Following a stint oversees after her time in Lubbock, Texas, Swoopes returned stateside when the formation of the WNBA was announced in April of 1996. She was assigned to the Houston Comets, who she led to four WNBA Championships, in the first player allocations in 1997 as she began a career that also included stints with the Seattle Storm and Tulsa Shock.

A three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player selection (2000, 2002, 2005) and three-time league Defensive Player of the Year honoree (2000, 2002, 2003), Swoopes was a six-time WNBA All-Star, averaging 15.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game during a 12-year career. Her 4,875 career points currently rank 12th on the league’s all-time scoring chart.

During her professional career, Swoopes also had the honor of representing her country, capturing gold medals with Team USA at the 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 (Sydney) and 2004 (Athens) Olympic Games.

Following a pair of exhibition games in early November, Swoopes and the Ramblers will begin the 2015-16 regular season on Nov. 13 against the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Ga.

Coach Sheryl Swoopes

rambler report - october 2015

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