the grandees i never went to any sports events at loyola, even though i knew the ramblers were rising up the college basketball nationals. their coaches frequently alluded to the 1960s national championship win we once had... the plastic banner-type reminder is plastered to the side of athletics building, looming over us, gleaming in the snow and rain.

girl basketball varsity classmates would have noses in books while we shuttled to and from lake shore and water tower campus. shuttling was the only time to talk to anyone, at least, in my world and theirs. shuttling was also the only time to nap during the school day. we never got passed we're supposed to turn in something today, right?

and yes, all the filipinos majored in law and medicine and were involved in either the fashion shows or rice bowl.

no one from loyola graduates and gets into journalism. there are odd stragglers - jerry crimmins the magnificent exudes catholic apology and persistence, he was made a supervisor around here and did brilliantly, but only wanted to write. the managers said no. so he quit. he returned to his old, the esteemed chicago law bulletin.

and then on a random thursday i call the daily herald in arlington heights and john lush answers the phone, class of 85, the only other loyola alum that's staff of a newspaper right now. in our estimation.

the ramblers have a painful secret: our original name. the lame name thankfully sank into obscurity, taking the school's cheer with it, so mr. lush and i just chorused the popular refrain from anyone who's ever seen gentile center: 'that gym sucks!' ahahahaha -   ¶ 1/27/2005 10:56:00 PM