Loyola Athletics have been hosting more than students at their games in the Den lately.

Faculty and staff members have been attending games throughout the year, creating opportunities to interact with students, support the student-athletes and enjoy the games.

For some, the games have become part of their lives due to their love for the sport and competition. Others go to these matchups because it’s a fun and different activity to attend with the family.

All the faculty members, however, agreed they go to the games, most importantly, to support the ‘Pack.

Kendra Reed, Michael Perlstein, Peter Burns, Cissy Petty and even newcomer, William Locander, among others, have been seen enjoying pizza or nachos and cheering for their school.

Burns, associate professor of political science, has been teaching at Loyola since 2001. He, however, didn’t start attending games until his second year in the school.

“My second year here I had a student, Carlee White, who played basketball, and I came to watch her,” Burns said.

Although he is a passionate fan cheering in the stands and enthusiastically supporting the ‘Pack, he doesn’t talk about sports in the classroom or encourage his students to attend games.

Burns, however, is a fan of one sport in particular. “I like women’s basketball, but I like men’s basketball, too. I like coming to the basketball games,” he said.

His favorite part is getting to know the student-athletes, especially those he teaches, outside of the classroom setting.

“I think I know all of them, some better than others. I like talking to them, sometimes just saying hello or really talk to them,” he said.

Garkieva Council, sociology freshman, and Chris Joseph, political science freshman, are two student-athletes Burns is teaching this semester.

Joseph appreciates his professor taking the time to watch him play.

“It’s great that he comes to the games. It’s very encouraging, because not only is he really into the games from the stands, but talks to us about it out of class. It’s really cool and makes him seem like a regular guy,” he said.

Michael Perlstein, visiting assistant professor of journalism, has also been spotted at various university sporting events. He, however, sees these games as an activity that his family can enjoy.

“I follow the teams’ successes through The Maroon and I like taking my kids to the games,” he said. “I’ m a sports guy so coming to these games is fun for me.”
He, however is picky when it comes to what sport he enjoys watching.
“I’m a hoops guy. Both men and women’s basketball are enjoyable for me to watch,” he said.

Perlstein said he likes to incorporate ‘Pack athletics in his classes.

“I like to let students know that sports is a major area of coverage in journalism. I am more than happy to launch them into the sports arena and let them cover something that they love,” he said.

The Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business, has also been following this trend where faculty and staff members attend ‘Pack sports events.
   
Newly appointed Dean William B. Locander and Assistant Professor and Area Chair, Kendra Reed, both enjoy attending games.

Locander is a usual at the basketball games.

“I’m a big sports fan, I like the team and I also like to watch the kids in our college playing ball,” he said.

Being new to the school, he sees this as an opportunity to meet students and interact with them.

 “This lets them see me around, and makes it easier for them to come up and say hello,” he said.

Reed started teaching at Loyola in 2003, but became the hard core fan she is today in 2004. She follows as many teams as she can, but her favorite to watch are men’s and women’s basketball.

“I love women’s basketball. I played and they’ve been such a winning team and they’re so dedicated and are great athletes, and men’s because about over half of the team are students in the college of business,” Reed said.

Reed shares her passion for sports with her students and actively motivates them to attend as many games as possible.

“I offer bonus points for attending games. I give one point for basketball because it’s local, but if they travel I give them extra. If they go to baseball games, it’s a three point bonus,” she said.

Jonuel Hernandez, finance freshman, said he attends the games because he enjoys watching sports. “The bonus points she gives us serves as motivation for those who don’t like sports, to attend them,” he said.

Reed’s support of the teams leads her to travel to certain games.

“I travel as much as I can. I’ve been to Mobile to see basketball and baseball; anytime I can, I go,” she said.

She goes to the games to support the students. —“I primarily do this to see the students at their best in their element. I think it makes me a better teacher and a better member of the Loyola community to be a part of their lives,” she said.

Reed has found that encouraging students with bonus points helps get them more involved with school activities and helps them get a better college experience. Reed said that she is even offering points for attending the ballet this semester.

“I think it helps to build a positive relationship with my students. I think that when you respect their talents and they respect your talents, it adds to my ability to be more effective and getting them excited about learning,” she said.

Eduardo Gonzalez can be reached at [email protected].