Leadership in College Athletics
“Sports enliven the campus experience, deepen school spirit and life-long affinity, and galvanize the alumni and university communities.”
Loyola University Chicago President, Mark C. Reed, EdD
Leadership in college athletics
President Mark C. Reed sees intercollegiate sports as part of a well-rounded education and university community
A prominent thread in President Mark C. Reed’s career has been involvement in the leadership, management, and governance of intercollegiate athletics at the institutional, conference—and now, national—level.
After serving six years as chair of the Atlantic 10 Council of Presidents, Reed was appointed to serve a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, comprised of 24 members (including 20 university presidents), which is responsible for strategy, policy, and overseeing management of college sports’ most competitive division. Working with and supporting the NCAA’s new president, Charlie Baker, the board’s current issues include ongoing matters related to Name, Image, and Likeness policies, student-athlete transfer regulations, and criteria for Division I status.
Reed sees intercollegiate athletics, club sports and campus recreation as integral to a well-rounded, whole-person focused Jesuit education.
“Sports enliven the campus experience, deepen school spirit and life-long affinity, galvanize the alumni and university communities, and garner local and national attention,” he says. “Athletics should always complement the traditional educational experience, reflect the University’s mission, and strengthen institutional reputation and reach.”
Following several years of sustained success in the Missouri Valley Conference, Loyola joined the Atlantic 10 in 2022. “Membership in the A-10 raises the level of competition, puts us in a league with more schools that are similar to us, broadens our geographic footprint, and renews old rivalries and enables new ones,” Reed says. “This is a great conference fit for the Ramblers. We are committed to competing for championships every year and doing right by our student athletes.” He points out that Loyola student athletes have graduation rates among the highest nationally, are well represented on the A-10 academic honor roll, and make a difference in the campus and local communities through leadership and service.
“Loyola strives for the same integrity in athletics as we do for academics and student development,” Reed says. “Perhaps Sister Jean sums it up best when she encourages Ramblers to ‘worship, work, win.’”
Highlights of the 2023 A-10 Ramblers
The softball team‘s quest for a first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament came up just short, as the Ramblers lost to George Mason in May.
The men‘s golf team took runner-up honors at the A-10 Championship in their inaugural season in the conference.
A total of 139 Loyola University Chicago student-athletes were named to the A-10 Commissioner‘s Honor Roll.
For the 13th straight year and 16th time in program history, the men‘s soccer team earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches‘ 2022–2023 College Team Academic Award Winners list.
For the fourth straight year and 10th time in the last 11 seasons, the women‘s volleyball program earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
The men‘s and women‘s track & field teams earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honors.
Leadership in college athletics
President Mark C. Reed sees intercollegiate sports as part of a well-rounded education and university community
A prominent thread in President Mark C. Reed’s career has been involvement in the leadership, management, and governance of intercollegiate athletics at the institutional, conference—and now, national—level.
After serving six years as chair of the Atlantic 10 Council of Presidents, Reed was appointed to serve a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, comprised of 24 members (including 20 university presidents), which is responsible for strategy, policy, and overseeing management of college sports’ most competitive division. Working with and supporting the NCAA’s new president, Charlie Baker, the board’s current issues include ongoing matters related to Name, Image, and Likeness policies, student-athlete transfer regulations, and criteria for Division I status.
Reed sees intercollegiate athletics, club sports and campus recreation as integral to a well-rounded, whole-person focused Jesuit education.
“Sports enliven the campus experience, deepen school spirit and life-long affinity, galvanize the alumni and university communities, and garner local and national attention,” he says. “Athletics should always complement the traditional educational experience, reflect the University’s mission, and strengthen institutional reputation and reach.”
Following several years of sustained success in the Missouri Valley Conference, Loyola joined the Atlantic 10 in 2022. “Membership in the A-10 raises the level of competition, puts us in a league with more schools that are similar to us, broadens our geographic footprint, and renews old rivalries and enables new ones,” Reed says. “This is a great conference fit for the Ramblers. We are committed to competing for championships every year and doing right by our student athletes.” He points out that Loyola student athletes have graduation rates among the highest nationally, are well represented on the A-10 academic honor roll, and make a difference in the campus and local communities through leadership and service.
“Loyola strives for the same integrity in athletics as we do for academics and student development,” Reed says. “Perhaps Sister Jean sums it up best when she encourages Ramblers to ‘worship, work, win.’”