The Winter Sports Rally was held on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in the Leavy Gymnasium in preparation for the basketball and soccer season. The rally was put together by the Student Council, Director of Student Activities Chris Walter, the Loyola Pride and the Mighty Roar.
Senior Austin Barrow began the rally with a prayer, which was followed by the National Anthem performed by the Mighty Roar.
Walter said, “Many students come to games, and it’s nice for them to be able to associate faces with names. As Director of Activities and Varsity Soccer Coach, I’m hoping that we can get more students out to our games.”
Student Body President Connor Ladwig introduced on the fall athletes of the football, water polo and cross country teams for achieving positions on All Mission League First and Second Teams.
Before the winter sports teams were introduced, the freshmen faced the seniors in a ninety second game of basketball. The seniors won the game 3-0.
Juniors took on the sophomores in another ninety second game of basketball. The game was scoreless until Sophomore Eli Paton made a buzzer-beating jumpshot for the win.
Ladwig introduced the varsity soccer team. Led by head coach Walter and assistant coaches Trevor Mutch ’98 and Brad Legant, the soccer team is off to a 1-0 start. Similarly, the junior varsity and freshman soccer teams were acknowledged.
The seniors then faced the sophomores in a game of basketball. The sophomores defeated the seniors 4-2. In the final game, the sophomores faced the faculty team with Mutch, history teacher Kyle Knoll ’11 and athletics coach Martin Mays. Mutch won the game with his jump shot.
Freshman Brady McCourt added, “I enjoyed the various activities that were going on, such as the basketball games between the different grade levels. The games made the rally interactive.”
After, the Cubs watched a video promoting the winter sports teams. Starring Senior Jack Rothman and Spanish teacher Amado Machorro, the video was 80’s themed.
To end the rally, Senior Matthew Scarsi led the Cubs in the Icelandic Chant and the “Triple L” chant.