The End of the Line: Loyola Lacrosse's Fall from Grace

When part of a prestigious institution like Loyola, it's crucial that every cog in the well-oiled machine meets the institution's lofty standards. Regrettably, after extensive deliberation among faculty, the decision has been made to axe the lacrosse team from the array of sports offered here at Loyola High School. While numerous reasons contributed to this sad yet necessary conclusion, a select few bore the brunt of the blame.

Firstly, let's talk about how effortless the task was for them. It's an open secret at Loyola High that lacrosse players lean towards the lazy end of the spectrum. After their spring season wraps up, they enjoy a luxurious three-week break before gearing up for summer and off-season training. This excessive downtime is simply unacceptable and, unsurprisingly, reflects on their lackluster performance. Additionally, their practice schedule is nothing short of a snoozefest. Junior goalie Matthew Sasso confessed that they only bothered to practice five times a week, always at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m. And get this–they grudgingly admit to having a meager one or two afternoon practices sprinkled throughout the entire season. Utterly unacceptable, wouldn't you agree?

The second major nail in the lacrosse coffin was their academic mediocrity. In the illustrious 2024 season, these cubs mustered a pitiful 3.766 unweighted GPA collectively. A 3.76 GPA? I'm frankly embarrassed to call them my peers, as this barely scrapes by for an A- average. Sure, they snagged first place for CIF SS academic awards, but that's just not good enough. We demand a solid 4.0, plain and simple, from our cubs. If they ever dream of reviving this program, they better hit the books harder. And that's not all they need to improve; their gameplay leaves much to be desired too.

This year, the lacrosse team's progress was akin to watching paint dry. Their only notable victories were against Regis Jesuit, Dallas Jesuit and Brophy. While these wins might sound marginally impressive, it's only because it's the first time our cubs have managed to topple those teams in program history. On top of that, they're a measly second in the southern section CIF rankings. Why aren't they number one? Frank Litchman, an ex-member of the program, shed some light on the issue: "I had to bail on the program. Every practice felt like a broken record of 'getting better' and 'striving for greatness.' To me, that's not the mindset of a winner, let alone a winning team."

In essence, the lacrosse team got the axe because they simply couldn't hack it. Their lackadaisical attitude towards training, coupled with their mediocre academic performance and stagnant progress on the field, painted a picture of a team that was content with mediocrity. While other sports teams at Loyola were pushing boundaries, breaking records, and striving for excellence, the lacrosse team seemed content with merely existing. The decision to cut them wasn't just about numbers or rankings; it was about instilling a culture of ambition, discipline, and dedication across all aspects of student life. Until the lacrosse team can show a genuine commitment to improvement, they'll remain on the sidelines of Loyola's athletic legacy.