In 1972, Loyola basketball players stripped the word “Wolfpack” from their jerseys and warm-ups. They became known as the “Orphans.” Abandoned by its creator, the Loyola athletic program was disbanded. Thirty years ago this week, Loyola University suddenly dropped its athletic program in an announcement that shocked everyone from students to coaches.”It’s like death,” said Rags Scheurmann, head baseball coach in 1972. “The biggest loss in pulling out are not the coaches’ jobs, but the scholarships that will not be there for needy students.”When Loyola dropped athletics, they also took away scholarships of athletes who were in the middle of their schooling.The decision to make this move upset many in the Loyola community, including the Student Government Association.”[There was no] consultation of the student body,” said Cyndy Littlefield, 1972 SGA vice president. “I think it’s time that the student government take a definite stand against the university concerning their action.”

Say it ain’t so, Joe“The reasons… are educational and financial.” Said the, Rev. Michael McKennelly, S.J., university president of the time, in a 1972 press conference. “Loyola has found it necessary to reassess its priorities.”Coach Bob Luksta said in a 1972 interview with The Maroon that the athletic department was vulnerable to the decision because “there was no leadership.” The department had no full time athletic director.Fr. McKennelly said that the Board of Directors hoped to improve the intramural program as a replacement for athletics. However, Schuermann said that the program was already one of the greatest in the country.”Our budget was $4,000 – if only people would look and see what the got for that small sum,” said Schuermann.

The Time of the SeasonIn a 1972 Maroon interview, the president said the decision was made at a time when “other schools [were] looking for coaches.”However, many students and faculty were not satisfied with this. The program was in the process of beginning its ascent to the top. In 1970, the baseball team had its first match-up against Tulane University, winning two of three games. Only three days before the announcement, the basketball team played in its first match-up against the Green Wave. Despite being a four point loss for the ‘Pack the game was televised and promoted as “The Battle of New Orleans.” For this reason, one local sportscaster described the move to drop athletics as a “blow to the city… It just comes at a bad time.”

Pointing the FingerThe decision was made by the Loyola Athletic Commission, which was formed in January of 1971.According to a 1972 interview with the Loyola coaches, the commission was “not qualified” and only served to hurt the program.”Those guys never wore a jock in their life,” Luksta said. “The commission was stacked. Just by looking at the list… you could see there were three anti-athletic persons on it.”Schuermann sited plans to purchase land on the riverfront as an example of poor decisions by the commission. “[This] would have made a sound investment [for the program]… But the finance office did not go along with it.” Schuermann said.Instead, the Audubon Zoo purchased the land that same year.

Three StrikesLuksta reflected on the administration’s decisions in a 1972 interview with the Maroon. “Well, Loyola has gotten rid of its pharmacy school, its dental school and now athletics,” Said Luksta. “The school is losing its identity.”

-In 1991, athletics were reinstated at Loyola.

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Ty Marioueax set a school record for career scoring at Loyola. But his time with the Wolfpack was cut to three years when athletics were dropped.