Loyola Athletics Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight: William Isaac

NEW ORLEANS – Loyola University New Orleans baseball redshirt junior William Isaac is this month's edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight. Isaac "creates value every single day" for the Wolf Pack baseball program without any outside recognition or accolades, showcasing the true spirit of servant leadership and the Jesuit value of living life with and for others. 
 

"One of our key principles is value creation," Loyola head baseball coach Jeremy Kennedy said. "Will creates value every single day, and the vast majority of that is in pursuit of helping others.  He does so while also being one of the most improved players I have ever coached. Will is not only deserving of this honor, but he is the type of person who this award could be named after. He's one of a kind."
 

Isaac came to Loyola from St. Louis, Missouri, where he was an all-conference and all-district player at the prep level. The atmosphere drew him to uptown New Orleans, but his academic prowess allowed him to receive significant financial assistance, which ultimately made his decision. 
 

Having walked on to the baseball team, he doesn't get much playing time for the Wolf Pack. That doesn't stop him from being the best student-athlete he can be to his coaches and the best teammate he can be to his peers. 
 

"Will is the most reliable person we have on our baseball team," Kennedy said. "He is always the first one there, he is a servant leader, and he makes our pitching staff better by being our bullpen catcher. Will is 100 percent integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. The baseball program is better because Will is a part of it."  
 

On top of his duties for the baseball program, Isaac is working on his degree in finance and plans to move back to St. Louis after graduation to pursue a career in consulting and financial management. But for now, you can catch him at Segnette Field working with his pitchers to help the Loyola Wolf Pack get better day in and day out. 
 

"It means a lot to be a student athlete here," he said. "Having walked on, I've learned a lot about perseverance. The work ethic and life skills I have gained from being in this program are skills and principles I'll take through the rest of my life.
 

"I work to be selfless and help others on the field and in the classroom to the best of my ability. I work to support my teammates and create value not just for myself but for others."
 

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