WE
ARE
RESOLUTE LOYOL A ACADEM Y R O WIN G A SSOCI ATIO N A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 0/2 1
“Perseverance is at the heart of rowing; without the set-backs, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Being a part of Loyola rowing means standing strong in the face of adversity and using what I’ve learned as a foundation for my future.” N I C O L L E T E G I A M A R U S T I ’2 2 V A R S I T Y G I R L S’ T E A M
Res·o·lute \ re-zə-lüt, -lət \ 1: marked by firm determination: resolved a resolute character 2: bold, steady a resolute gaze
D E A R L A R A A L U M N I,
For the 100 rowers and coxswains who represent Loyola Academy crew, the 2020-2021
PA R E N T S, a n d
fall and spring rowing seasons were the living definition of Resolute. We are proud of the
F R I E N D S,
consistent athletic training, competition and camaraderie the Board and coaches provided for our student-athletes. We’re even more grateful to the rowers and coxswains who arrived at the boathouse each day with determination, heart and a willingness to adapt. It was an historic and remarkable year indeed! OUR BOARD of DIRECTORS…
…worked tirelessly to provide financial stewardship and smart strategic oversight. They made purposeful and bold decisions to maintain (and expand!) the mission and ongoing operation of the program – despite the uncertainty and extraordinary challenges of running a nationally recognized high school rowing program during a global Pandemic. OUR COACHES…
…lived their vocation as respected mentors, role models and experienced rowing teachers. They led with creativity, compassion and a singular dedication to creating a consistent, safe and growth-oriented environment for student-athletes to maintain their physical, emotional and social well-being both on and off the water. OUR ROWERS and COXSWAINS…
…arrived at the boathouse day in and out, demonstrating extraordinary character, flexibility and commitment to their personal and team goals. They honored the strict health and safety regulations, changing schedules and altered (sometimes canceled) regattas for the opportunity and joy of being with their teammates and having a consistent daily routine. OUR PARENTS and CARETAKERS…
…offered unwavering support for the Board’s decisions, the program’s health and safety requirements and the challenges of their family schedules being affected. As a volunteerrun organization, our parents shared their time, talents and financial support so that their children had the opportunity to develop friendships, hone their athletic talents, and maintain their physical and mental well-being during a very challenging year. As we look forward, we remain hopeful, grateful and resolute in our commitment to enhance our nationally recognized high school rowing program for the students of Loyola Academy. Thank you for being part of our LARA community – may we continue to work together with firm determination and a steady sight on our future. Row hard, Ramblers, Th e L A R A E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e
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2020-21 HIGHLIGHTS
ROWING TEAM ROSTERS Despite a global pandemic and the restrictions placed on high school athletic programs, the 2020-21 rowing seasons remained steady.
FALL 2020 RACING RESULTS Due to COVID -19, all scheduled regattas for Loyola Academy Rowing were canceled locally, regionally and nationally. A regular
VARSIT Y and NOVICE ROWERS and COXSWAINS
Fall season Wo m e n Men
51 athletes 42 athletes
Spring season Wo m e n Men
59 athletes 36 athletes
practice schedule was maintained throughout the fall season and several local scrimmages were planned to keep the rowers engaged in competition.
SPRING 2021 RACING RESULTS MIDWEST SCHOLASTIC ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
M e n ' s Va r s i t y 8 M e n ' s S e c o n d Va r s i t y 8
6th place 6th place
Wo m e n ' s Va r s i t y 8 Wo m e n ' s Va r s i t y 4
4th place 4th place
*Both the Women’s Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 boats competed at the SRAA National Championship Regatta in Philadelphia, PA
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“We slept overnight on the bus when we went to race at the Midwest Championships, but we took the challenges in stride. We tried our hardest despite the obstacles.” TOMMY LAFRAMBOISE V A R S I T Y B O Y S’ T E A M, ‘2 2
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LARA FINANCIAL SUMMARY
LARA ended the 2020/2021 fiscal year on June 30, 2021 with (i) positive net operating
results of ca. $5k for the preceding twelve-month period, (ii) a ca. $220,000 cash balance standing to the credit of LARA ’s long-term development account, and (iii) fixed assets comprising, inter alia, boats, oars, trailer, truck, exercise equipment, etc. with an aggregate accounting value of ca. $240,000. LARA remains fiscally strong, in large part due to the parent and alumni community
that generously supports it with significant contributions of human and fiscal resource throughout each fiscal year. This not only allows LARA to offer an exceptional rowing curriculum to its student-athletes, but also ensures (through notable levels of financial assistance provided each year) that any Loyola student who wants to row, can.
BALANCE SHEET
INCO ME S TATEMENT for
a s o f J U N E 3 O, 2 O 2 1
Y E A R E N D E D J U N E 3 O, 2 O 2 1
A s s et s
Revenues
Current Assets Fixed Assets Total Assets
$232,965 238,000 470,965
L i a b i l i t i e s a n d N et A s s et s
Current Liabilities Long-term Debt Net Assets
$10,329 – 460,636
Total Liabilities/Net Assets
470,965
Program Fees Fundraising Other Total Revenues
$238,935 71,079 10,847 320,861
Expenses
Rowing Program General/Admin Fundraising Total Expenses Net Revenue
$270,011 44,254 1,302 315,566 $5,294
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“Rowing is about going beyond your best effort every single day.” E L L I E M c C A I N ’2 3 V A R S I T Y G I R L S’ T E A M
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SENIOR COLLEGIATE SHOWCASE
VARSIT Y WOMEN
Olivia Banach
Marren Burgess
Alexandra Cherf
Helena Dunkel
Kr i s t i n D u t k i n
L i ly Fe n c l
Hannah Locke
Ella O'Neil
Wi l l i e C a r r o l l
Wi l l H a r e
Michael Morales
Behr Strnad
Coxing
Coxing
Rowing
Rowing
VARSIT Y MEN
Rowing
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BEING RESOLUTE– P H Y S I C A L LY & I N T E L L E C T UA L LY
162 L AR A ALU M NI H AVE RO W ED at the COLLEGIATE LEVEL SIN CE O U R 19 8 5 IN AU G U R A L SE A S O N.
American University 1
Princeton University 4
Barry University 1
Purdue University 1
Boston College 5
Rutgers University 1
Boston University 1
Santa Clara University 6
Brown University 3
Seattle University 1
Bucknell University 1
St. Joseph’s University 2
Clemson University 1
St. Norbert College 1
Coast Guard Academy 1
Stanford University 3
College of the Holy Cross 6
Syracuse University 3
Columbia University 2
Texas Christian University 1
Cornell University 5
Trinity College (CT) 1
Dartmouth College 2
United States Naval Academy 2
Drake University 2
University of Alabama 1
Duke University 1
UCLA 1
Duquesne University 1
University of California, San Diego 1
Eastern Michigan University 1
University of Iowa 1
Fairfield University 4
University of Kansas 2
Fordham University 2
University of Michigan 11
Franklin & Marshall College 1
University of Minnesota 2
George Washington University 1
University of North Carolina 1
Georgetown University 11
University of Notre Dame 4
Gonzaga University 3
University of Pennsylvania 5
Harvard University 2
University of Southern California 1
Holy Cross College 1
University of Texas 1
Indiana University 2
University of Vermont 1
Lafayette College 1
University of Virginia 1
Loyola University Maryland 2
University of Wisconsin 23
Marquette University 6
Villanova University 6
Michigan State University 1
Wellesley College 1
Mercyhurst University 1
Yale University 4
Northeastern University 2 Oregon State University 1
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“The team has shown great determination throughout the challenges of dealing with Covid over the past year.” MIKE KELLEY COACH
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MEET OUR COACHES
M at t B a l d i n o
Director of Coaching and Novice Women’s Head Coach high school
Loyola Academy ’93 college
University of Wisconsin – Madison ’98
B r i a n M a rt i n ( aka “ b - m a r ” ) Varsity Men’s Head Coach high school
Loyola Academy ’97 college
Villanova University ’02
M i c h a e l Ke l l e y
Varsity Women’s Head Coach high school
Loyola Academy ’94 college
Georgetown University ’98
C a r r i e L o f g r e n
Varsity Assistant Coach high school
Loyola Academy ’10 college
University of Michigan ’14
G e o r g e H i l d e b r a n d t Novice Men’s Assistant Coach high school
St. Edward High School, Ohio
college
Loyola University
Rya n M a k i
Novice Girls Coach high school
Loyola Academy ’05
college
DePaul ’11
A i da n M c C a rt h y Assistant Novice Boys high school
Loyola Academy ’20 college
Gonzaga - currently rowing
Sophie Molins
Assistant Novice Girls high school
Loyola Academy ’20 college
Stanford University - currently rowing
Jac k D i et m e i e r
Assistant Novice Boys/Girls high school
Loyola Academy ’20 college
Miami of Ohio
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Matt Baldino and A Coach’s Resolve This year, Matt Baldino, LARA ’s Director of Coaching, retired after 18 seasons leading the Loyola Academy rowing program. We are grateful for his service, passion for excellence and unwavering commitment to the thousands of student-athletes who learned to row under his leadership. 2021 Loyola Academy alumni, Alexandra Cherf offers her reflection on Coach Baldino’s legacy.
L o y o l a A c a d e m y R o w i n g A s s o c i a t i o n (LARA) is more than just a scholastic rowing program to me and every individual who steps foot inside the boathouse. It’s easy to say this feeling stems from one’s own passion for the sport and the people who put in the effort every single day. But, it’s actually rooted in the philosophy of Coach Matt Baldino and his legacy in the history of Loyola Academy Crew. Coach Baldino’s impact went beyond his role as Head Coach of the program. For me, he was a mentor and someone who had full faith and trust in my process and path to success. He taught me that “Life is 1% what happens and 99% how you handle it.” I will forever live by this motto because it exemplifies our approach to training in the boathouse, rowing on the water, and being a contributing Rambler in the Loyola Academy community. He was tough more often than not, but he championed my success and pushed me to become the best version of myself as an individual and a collegiate student-athlete. I feel grateful to have had Coach Baldino as my teacher, trainer, and mentor throughout my time at Loyola. I am even more fortunate to carry-out his rowing expertise and legacy as a HarvardRadcliffe women’s varsity coxswain. While his time as Director of Coaching with Loyola has come to an end, his dedication and lessons will never be forgotten. He built the crew program from the ground-up, and I hope every LARA athlete who shares his passion for the sport of rowing will continue to live our program’s values on and off the water. Thank you for everything, Coach Baldino. Alexandra Cherf Harvard-Radcliffe Varsity Women’s Coxswain, Class of ’25 Loyola Academy Varsity Women’s Coxswain, Class of ’21
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“When the novice boys raced against Culver Academy, we saw the kids in the other boat were much bigger than us. We were nervous, but we kept our hope and prepared. We didn’t give up and actually won the race!” IAN VEDDER N O V I C E B O Y S ’ T E A M , ’2 4
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PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COMMUNIT Y SERVICE
Due to COVID -19 restrictions on inperson volunteerism, the rowers and families were not able to volunteer at our annual Feed My Starving Children and Misericordia activities. LARA looks forward to continuing and supporting these important partnerships as volunteer
SU M MER 2O21 CH A NNEL R ATS
This summer, 60 current and alumni rowers participated in the annual Channel Rats training, conditioning and development program. This program gives participants a chance to connect with recent alumni, prepare for the upcoming racing season, and even race together.
restrictions are lifted. LARA ALUMNI NETWORK SUMMER 2021 ROWING CAMPS
Loyola Academy hosted its annual summer rowing camps for 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in trying a new sport. This year, 90 students participated in the program (an increase from 29 during summer 2020). It is a great way for young athletes to become acquainted with the sport of rowing through technical skills development and coaching, and on the water experience with current Loyola Academy rowers. This program also serves as an introductory program for incoming freshman considering the novice rowing team.
This year, we launched a national Alumni Ambassador Network to connect generations of rowers and coxswains. Across the country, thousands of Rambler alumni rowers share friendships, memories and life lessons learned on the water. Alumni gathered in Chicago for networking events, came together in impromptu ways as collegiate races across the US, and many returned to the Boathouse volunteering as short-term coaches, mentors and advisors. Over the summer, alumni rowers also returned to the Boathouse for an alumni race, bringing together multigenerations of LARA athletes for a fun competition and on the North Channel. We hope to expand these opportunities and are excited by the possibilities to expand alumni programming.
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“Every athlete, coach, and parent plays a crucial role in the success of this program. In any role, we need to do what is best for the whole program. If we keep this mission as our essence, Loyola Academy Rowing will continue building upon its success.” CARRIE LOFGREN C O A C H ’2 4
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A STEADY GAZE ON OUR FUTURE
o u r r o w i n g p r o g r a m at l oyo l a a c a d e m y i s u n i q u e at the high school level – we are one of only a handful of private schools nationally to offer competitive crew as an athletic option. Our training is rigorous and designed for rowers to compete successfully with top-tier high school programs nationally. We are proud of our 36 year LARA legacy and the success of our student-athletes. Beyond the 130 Midwest and National Championship medals earned, our athletes’ recruitment to nationally acclaimed collegiate rowing programs and the friendships made, we are most proud of who our rowers and coxswains are becoming. They act with dignity, respect for others, integrity and loyalty. And this year, they demonstrated the true meaning of resilience and resolve. This is how we want our student-athletes and the entire LARA community to be remembered. Preserving our future requires the engagement and support of our entire community in the form of volunteerism, financial support and expertise. The Board and coaches are keen to connect our LARA family, rowers and coxswains past, present and future to perpetuate the lifelong lessons that rowing has to offer. Please join us. We remain ever resolute in our commitment to the future of Loyola Academy rowing and thank you for being part of our LARA story.
writing design
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Mary Beth Flannery
Eric Wagner, True story.
EXECUTIVE
L A R A 2 O 2 0/2 1
COMMITTEE
B O A R D o f D I R E C T O R S
J o h n C h e r f
D av e A l s pa c h
President
S u s a n M a l l oy Vice President
C l a r k M c C a i n Treasurer
L i z a K a p i ca Secretary
S u s a n R a j kov i c h
Travel Coordinator
Wi l l i a m S t r n a d Loyola Partnership Liaison Committee
M at t B a l d i n o To n y B e rt r o n s k i M a ry B r o d e r i c k H e at h e r B u r g e s s
Ti m K a n e
Academic Liaison/Moderator and Crew Team Sponsor
M at t B a l d i n o
Director of Coaching
John Cherf Anna Marie Close M a ry K ay G o r m a n K ay H a r e L i z a K a p i ca S u s a n M a l l oy Clark McCain Penny O’Neill S u s a n R a j kov i c h Colleen Simpson Bill Strnad I da l i a Wa l o
“I am proud of our Board’s stewardship during a very difficult year. Our all-volunteer Board made responsible, difficult and thoughtful decisions with a commitment to maintaining an exemplary rowing experience for our student-athletes.” SUSAN MALLOY LAR A BOARD MEMBER and PARENT
LOYOL A ACADEM Y RO WING A SSOCIATIO N
F o u n d e d i n 1 9 8 5 , Loyola Academy Rowing Association ( LARA ) provides a rare, highly desirable opportunity for Loyola Academy students to participate in the sport of rowing. Of fundamental importance, LARA believes that the arduous, demanding nature of the sport creates the ideal environment for the physical, mental, and spiritual development of student athletes. To this end, LARA endeavors to lead students toward recognition, appreciation and fulfillment of their true athletic potential through the shared pursuit of winning both the Midwest Championships and the SRAA National Championships. The teams strive toward excellence with dedication to Jesuit ideals, including aspiring to become “Women and Men for Others.” LARA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is funded exclusively through
crew fees, fundraising and the generosity of its donors, alumni and sponsors. If you have questions, would like to support our program, or would like to learn more about the Loyola Academy Rowing Association, we would love to hear from you.
L oyo l a A c a d e m y R o w i n g A s s o c i at i o n p. o. b o x 5 9 9 , g l e n v i e w, i l 6 0 0 2 5 w w w. l oyo l a a c a d e m yc r e w . o r g l a r o w i n g a lu m n i @ g m a i l . o r g