KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its annual national awards on Thursday, and the Loyola Wolf Pack men's basketball team added to its long list of accolades from the 2021-22 academic year. After winning the school's first NAIA National Championship in 77 years, the Wolf Pack team was selected as the Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) Champions of Character Team Award recipient after the adversity they faced throughout the school year.
When the five core values of this award and the idea of "champions," the Loyola Wolf Pack men's basketball is the perfect example. The hardships they've faced this season were powerful enough to overcome any team, but the Wolf Pack had high aspirations they wanted to achieve and nothing would get in the way. This team full of high-character men came together for one goal while being gracious and respectful in the process.
The Wolf Pack had to overcome a damaged home facility that caused the team to hold preseason practice in Dallas, Texas, then once they returned to New Orleans, they were forced to practice all over the city at early hours. Loyola didn't have a true home game until January, and even then it was on a temporary floor donated by the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. The team was also forced to shut down for nearly two weeks due to COVID-19 protocols, and the rescheduling of those games made it seven games in 13 days to close out an SSAC Regular-Season Championship. After the team claimed the SSAC tournament title, a number of players on the roster dealt with stomach bug-like symptoms while in Kansas City playing in the national tournament.
Still, though, the Loyola Wolf Pack men's basketball team was still able to turn in an impressive 37-1 overall record the school's first NAIA National Championship in 77 years.
Another example of the Champions of Character five core values was the role the "Juicemen" played for the Wolf Pack. Making up the bench players on the roster, the Juiceman knew their role on this championship-winning team. They knew their impact on the game could be felt by being the hype-men from the bench, or the "Juicemen," as they called themselves. Throughout Loyola's 38 games this season, it would be hard to miss the energy and enthusiasm the Juicemen displayed, and the impact they had on the players on the court was immeasurable.
Finally, while dealing with the obstacles listed above and in the midst of a historic season, the team still found the energy to donate their free time to the elementary school located next to Loyola – Holy Name of Jesus School. The team had 100 percent participation in reading to the younger students at Holy Name this school year, and they helped pass out Valentine's Day candy to the students, which was the same day as Loyola's 90-83 overtime over Stillman College.
You can keep up with the Pack by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
