Loyola vs. Detroit in Alumni Gym
The Loyola women’s basketball team failed to win the last game ever played in historic Alumni Gym. Loyola fell to Detroit in a 71-62 loss in their last home game, as the lady Ramblers wrapped up their 11-16 season. Both teams last played in the gym on February 10, 1996 in a game that Detroit also won.
553 fans attended Senior and Alumni Day on Saturday February 26 at 2pm, paying a special one dollar admission price. A strong presence of the dance team, cheerleaders, and pep band complimented the already moderately packed gymnasium.
Three senior basketball players Brittany Boeke, Caitlin Pauley, and Taryn Randle were all individually honored in a ceremony prior to the tip off. Each senior walked to half court and received a framed poster of themselves and flowers from the coaches.
Theresa Sciaraffa, 18, a sophomore commuter student from the Chicago suburbs, made the drive to be able to attend the game. “I thought that they gave the seniors a great sendoff and it was nice how they customized it to make sure that each senior was recognized for her unique contributions to the team over the past four years.”
Vicky Mann, 22, of Bensenville, also made the drive out to Loyola. “I went to the game because it was the last game of the season. It was a surprise that they were playing in Alumni because one of their other games was referred to as the last basketball game that would ever be played in Alumni.”
Originally built in 1923, the women’s basketball team called Alumni Gym home from 1979 to 1996. They relocated to the Gentile Center after finishing with a record of 156-87. This past November, the men’s basketball team also played one last game in Alumni, successfully securing a win over Robert Morris. It is set to be demolished this May, in order to make way for a new state of the art student center building.
According to pep band director, Rick Lowe of Evanston, the athletic department arranged the game to be played at Alumni within the last few weeks. They thought it would be fitting to have the women play one last game there because of their sentimentality for the place. Lowe expressed his gratitude for being able to watch one last game there. "I've only been at Loyola for three years, but I have always appreciated the sense of history associated with Alumni Gym. It is such an intimate atmosphere, with the fans right on top of the action, and I love to direct the band in that space. I'll miss it!"
The game began with Lindsey Sebetic scoring a three-pointer, putting Loyola on the scoreboard first. The Ramblers maintained the lead over the Titans until halftime which ended in a 29-29 tie. By the start of the second half, the two teams continued to sustain the tie to 41-41. However, at the thirteen minute mark, the Titans started to pull away with a seven shot lead and dominated Loyola until the end.
With thirteen seconds left in the game, Detroit sophomore Yar Shayok fouled Lisa Samplawski. Samplawski made both foul shots, becoming the last Rambler to score a basket in Alumni Gym. After her shots, the Ramblers fouled Detroit and were unable to make anymore plays.
With 1.2 seconds ticking away, the lady Ramblers abandoned the basketball on the floor as it spun away unnoticed, bringing an end to nearly ninety years of athletic history. “It is too bad that the women couldn't close out their home season with a win in Alumni Gym,” said Lowe, “but that certainly does not diminish the history of that great old building.”
Watch a video of the Senior Ceremony below
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