NEW ORLEANS – Loyola Wolf Pack women's basketball student-athlete Addison Luker is this month's edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight. Her dedication to excellence in everyday life shines through, as the Wolf Pack Athletics Department aims to celebrate its student-athletes who embody our Jesuit values with these monthly spotlights.
Luker achieves the Latin ideal of magis, the pursuit of "more" for the greater good, through a consistent commitment to excellence, growth, and service in every area of her life.
"Applying the Jesuit values into my day-to-day life of pursuing excellence and living a life for others is by being intentional with everything that I do and giving my best effort in everything I do," Luker said. "I hold myself to a really high standard, and I believe that excellence is about consistency and growth more than perfection. I remember being a little girl and looking up to girls who played collegiate basketball, so I remind myself to maintain a positive attitude and lead by example. Together, these values guide me to balance personal growth with contributing positively to the people around me."
Luker is a sophomore on the women's basketball team and hails from Daphen, Alabama. She majors in Biology Pre-Health and plans to eventually pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. The combination of the program's success under head coach Kellie Kennedy and the University's educational offerings made Loyola an easy choice for Luker.
"What drew me to Loyola was the culture that I felt immediately when I stepped on campus," she said. "Loyola offers strong educational opportunities and smaller class sizes, so I could have a meaningful relationship with my professors, as well as opportunities for growth and leadership. Walking into the environment of the women's basketball team was unmatched. Coach Kennedy and her team have always been very successful, and I loved the determination they brought that I had to be a part of."
Luker has seen her on-court role expand in her second season with the program. She averages 2.3 assists and a rebound per game as the backup point guard, but her roles away from the court have also expanded to showcase her dedication to leadership and service to others. Luker is a women's basketball representative on Loyola's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she holds an executive position - Vice President of Ritual - for Alpha Chi Omega, leads children every Sunday at Church of King in small-group learning and activities, and she attends Athletes in Action with Loyola and Tulane student-athletes.
"Being a Loyola student-athlete means growth," She said. "It means learning how to handle pressure, embracing tough moments, and staying motivated throughout it all. There are so many lessons that I have gained and will continue to learn throughout my years. I have gained friendships that go way beyond the court, and that will last me a lifetime. To me, being a student athlete goes beyond just a title; it is an identity that is built on dedication, balance, and determination to succeed in all areas of life."
Luker embodies magis by striving to be more attentive, more committed, and more generous. Not for personal recognition, but to positively impact her teammates, classmates, and community. Her life reflects the Jesuit ideal of excellence in service, making her a true example of magis in action.
"Addi is so deserving of this recognition! She exemplifies excellence and service in so many ways. She is such a great teammate who cares immensely about her team and teammates. She is always striving to be her best and is incredibly determined to become a great part of our women's basketball program. Addi's faith shows in how she walks through life every day. I am so proud of her and am honored to be part of her experience at Loyola."
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These spotlights honor a student-athlete who not only excels in their sport but also embraces the greater purpose of using their talents to serve and inspire others.
Please submit your nominees with specific examples of how your nominee exemplifies these characteristics - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLSU9L3RIq7rytJzmj9_XQZa8knsut8u96cb_jZ_vpMgppFw/viewform?usp=header
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