INDIANAPOLIS - The Rambler Rowdies of Loyola University Chicago have been awarded the Horizon League’s first ever No. 1 Student Section trophy. The honor was given to Loyola after all 10 conference student sections were evaluated for their performance during the Horizon League Network (HLN) Student Section Challenge Tour.
The tour began on Jan. 2 at Butler and concluded on Feb. 27 at Youngstown State. Loyola’s challenge game took place on Jan. 21 as they faced then-No. 20 Butler at the Gentile Center. The Ramblers almost pulled off the upset win, but a last-second three pointer rimmed out. Never the less, the game was an instant classic and so was the student section.
Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone was on hand that evening and had this to say about the atmosphere. "If you’re a Loyola fan and didn’t have fun tonight, you’ll never have fun."
Over 1,000 students packed the bleachers on a cold Thursday night as the coeds accounted for roughly 25 percent of the entire crowd. Loyola’s athletic department did an outstanding job of marketing the event as they offered numerous free giveaways, including hot dogs during a pre-game cookout. Head Coach Jim Whitesell hosted a pizza social for the campus resident assistants and asked them to help create excitement among the students.
“Winning this award shows the Rambler Rowdies and the entire Loyola community has a great sense of pride in their university and in their Ramblers” said the Director of Marketing and Promotions for Loyola Athletics Pat Schultz.
The Ramblers will keep the traveling trophy until the challenge tour kicks off next season.
The League would like to extend its gratitude toward all 10 campus athletic departments in their support of this first-year event.
