The 2019-20 school year is upon us. Returning students are getting ready for another year in Rogers Park and rising first-years are preparing to begin a four-year journey they’ll never forget.
As for me… Holy crap, I’m a senior.
*Gulp*
Welcome back, Ramblers, and welcome to Loyola, class of 2023. My name’s Nick Schultz, and I’m beginning my second year as sports editor of The Phoenix. My job is to help inform you, the student body, about what’s happening in Loyola Athletics — and, occasionally, vent about Chicago professional sports in this space. It’s a job I don’t take lightly, and I thank all of you for reading.
As I begin my last year at The Phoenix, I can’t help but get a little nostalgic. After all, it was just three years ago at this time I was moving into Mertz Hall for my first year at Loyola. Being from a small town, I didn’t know much more than cornfields, back roads and Casey’s pizza.
But here I am, entering the home stretch on my time at Loyola. It’s been quite the ride so far. The Cubs have made the playoffs every year I’ve been at Loyola (Well, so far. I’ll save that rant for another time) and won the World Series during my first year, which was something I never thought I’d see, if I’m being completely honest.
I also had the privilege of covering the Ramblers’ men’s basketball team’s magical Cinderella run in 2018, which meant I got on a plane for the first time ever (yes, you read that right) and had the chance to talk with so many of my journalistic influences. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to co-host a sports radio show on Loyola’s student radio station, WLUW-FM 88.7, and am preparing to take the show over as my own in the near future. Stay tuned.
Most recently, I accepted a news internship at NBC Sports Chicago — a station I’ve grown up watching. Three years ago, I never would’ve dreamed about getting an internship there, and it wouldn’t have been possible without my time at The Phoenix. I’m forever grateful for my time writing for a paper which, at the ripe age of 51, is now old enough to get AARP benefits.
Okay, enough rambling — pun intended. Let’s cut to the chase: What can you expect from The Phoenix sports section this year?
For starters, you can expect continued coverage of Loyola’s 13 Division I programs — from soccer to basketball to golf to track and field. Our team of reporters is fully prepared to provide you the only Loyola beat coverage in the city. We’ll have game recaps, features and long-form enterprise stories for your reading pleasure.
Be sure to also check out our podcast, “Postgame.” We have big ideas in store for our second season, including interviews and more in-depth analysis. Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review. Believe it or not, we actually read those.
Most importantly, keep reading our work. This is going to be a great year, and we’re excited to get started. If you have any questions about anything or just want to talk Ramblers, reach out to us on social media. I promise you, we all constantly check our phones and 90 percent of the time, we’ll respond — unless you want to talk about the Green Bay Packers during football season. That’s where I draw the line. #BearDown, Norkol.
I think I’ve filled enough space. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take the floor for #OneLastDance, just like former NBA player Dwyane Wade did last year.
Let’s have some fun.
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