Senior Jude DiStefano, a mid-distance swimmer who focuses on the 200 free and 500 free events, recently committed to the University of California Santa Barbara. 

DiStefano shared, “I chose UCSB because the coaches were nice, and I loved the campus. I am not yet sure what I want to do academically, but I know that UC schools are very well-versed in academics.”

In the summer of 2019, he got in contact with the UCSB swimming coach, Mark Story. Since then, DiStefano and Coach Mark Story have developed a strong relationship.

DiStefano, describing the recruitment process, said, “The UCSB coach and I set up some calls, and eventually zoom meetings, and we just got to know each other more. He told me more about UCSB, and then he offered and I took it.” 

As a Loyola senior, DiStefano hasn’t been able to attend school due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he is definitely looking forward to his time at the University of Santa Barbara.

DiStefano said, “I am looking forward to living on my own, staying at a dorm with other swimmers. And it’s really going to be a huge step into adulthood.”

He is grateful for what he has learned as a Cub. He would like to tell future Cubs to “be a person for the team, even in a sport like swimming, which is mostly about individuals. If you only think about yourself, you’re not going to get anywhere. Thinking about yourself is boring, not fun; whereas, if you are well invested in all the people on the team, seeing them do well is very exciting.”

Finally, looking back on his time at Loyola, DiStefano would like to thank his parents, friends and coaches, both from club teams and from Loyola for shaping him into the person that he is today.