Athletes assist in move

Recently many of Loyola's student athletes took on a different type of physical challenge, helping freshmen get their luggage up flights of stairs.

During the two days of freshmen move-in, Wolfpack athletes volunteered in the morning and early afternoon, helping freshmen get situated in their new surroundings.

"Every team participates as much as they can," Kellie Kennedy, head women's basketball coach, said. "It's great because something that would take the family five trips to do gets done in one trip."

Kennedy was one of the main organizers of the event and has participated in it every year since she began coaching at Loyola.

Even though the annual volunteer effort is one of few causes that all of Loyola's Wolfpack sponsored sports will participate in, Kennedy said Wolfpack athletics support of Loyola's causes.by

"The things that are promoted on campus, we try to promote through our student athletes as well."

As Loyola's charitable work is promoted through its student athletes, Kennedy said that Wolfpack athletics could use charity events like freshmen move-in day to help promote themselves.

"I think it does [help bring people to our games]. If their first impression of the athletic teams on this campus is that [help moving in], I don't see how that can be anything but good."

Though it is good for the athletic program to get positive exposure outside the field of play, Kennedy said that what really matters is helping new students get adjusted to their new surroundings.

And as long as student athletes are around to help, their move-in day assistance will be appreciated.

"The parents and kids are so excited for the help and they're like, ‘Oh my god thank you so much' and its great that one of their first impressions on this campus would be one of people trying to help them and make them feel at home," Kennedy said.

Hasani Grayson can be reached at hkgrayso@loyno.edu