This academic year has been about far more than textbooks and tests for an impressive segment of our student body. While many of us have been splitting our time between the library and The Boot, Loyola’s student athletes have been juggling schoolwork and sports, and they are still managing to excel in competition.
For evidence of this, look no further than our women’s basketball team. Upon entering the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament this week, the team was ranked 23rd in the nation by a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics poll. The team has played extraordinarily well this season, collecting 23 wins and only four losses. In fact, this year’s team has achieved the best winning percentage in the history of our women’s basketball program.
Despite this record, however, many students remain unaware of or unenthused about the team’s performance. This attitude is commonplace around campus and reflects a larger trend at Loyola surrounding athletic teams. Despite student athletes’ hard work and devotion to the university, they receive too little attention, recognition and support from those uninvolved in Loyola athletics.
If the women’s basketball team’s recent performance reveals anything, though, it is that our student athletes certainly deserve greater acclaim. Loyola is home to a number of exceptional athletes whose accomplishments at games are often overlooked. They sit in classes with us every day, and yet we often fail to realize the dedication they give to our school. Student athletes labor to bring glory to our university, and it is essential that we make a greater effort to recognize this.
As a whole, the Loyola student body needs to show more support for each of our athletic teams. Whether they are performing poorly or ascending the rankings, these teams devote their time and energy to Loyola, and they deserve to be in the spotlight.
Our athletic teams are an integral component of the Loyola community. Let’s commit to expressing more gratitude, attending more games and better embracing Wolfpack pride.
