Loyola Blakefield
Loyola Blakefield is a Catholic, college preparatory school established by the Jesuits and imbued with the spirit of Ignatius Loyola to educate men to serve others. The ideal Loyola graduate is a man of integrity who, because he strives "to find God in all things," is open to growth, dedicated to academic excellence, religious, committed to diversity, loving and dedicated to work for a just world. Loyola Blakefield is located in Towson, Maryland.
History
Upon reaching Maryland in 1634, the Jesuits carried out the objectives of their forefathers. They wanted to build new men, men who were conscious of a religious purpose. The Jesuits accomplished this in the way they knew best – through education. In 1851, Archbishop Francis Kenric asked the Jesuits to oversee the formation of a school for laymen that would incorporate the Jesuit standards of excellence and build new men conscious of a religious purpose. The construction of Loyola High School began on Calvert Street in Baltimore City, Maryland in early 1852, and on September 15, 1852, the doors opened.
In the early 1930s the growing and cramped high school began to look toward moving north of the city. In 1933, with the support of the Blake family, Loyola purchased the land known today as Blakefield in Towson, Maryland. In 1941, the students moved to the new campus. Between 1981 and 1988, a Middle School was gradually introduced, and in recognition of the two levels of education, Loyola High School officially became known as Loyola Blakefield.
Loyola Blakefield has seen many changes and enhancements these past few years, some of them striking, such as the construction of Knott Hall which houses the student commons and dining hall, athletic center, and alumni areas, the Burk Hall academic wing, and the renovations to the 60-year-old science laboratories in Wheeler Hall. The physical improvements at Blakefield are always incurred in order to provide facilities that are commensurate with academic and co-curricular opportunities for growth and an outstanding educational experience for each student.
The mission and philosophy remain the hallmarks of the Jesuit education at Blakefield, the benchmarks by which true educational success can be measured. There are nearly 1,000 students today at Loyola Blakefield in grades six through twelve who exemplify the principles of academic excellence, building faith, and serving others.
Academics
The Loyola Forensics team is a standout club and team at the school. The team, which is led by English instructor Tom Durkin, was recently named 2005 National Forensic League champions.
Athletics at Loyola Blakefield
Loyola Blakefield participates in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for most sports, and the Baltimore Catholic League for basketball
The athletics at Loyola Blakefield are historically successful, most notably in Football, Swimming, and Lacrosse. The Lacrosse program has produced many collegiate athletes, including Bucknell University Midfielder Patrick Keeney '04, University of Virginia Attackman Ben Rubeor '04, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Defenseman Tim Kaiser '04, Hamilton College Defenseman Ned Gilliss '04, and Johns Hopkins University Defenseman Matt Pinto '02.
The soccer program has produced Division I talent in All-American goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald '06 Wake Forest, Defender Matt Reichenbach '06 Lafayette College, and Mike Lookingland '01 Bucknell who went on to play for the MLS Real Salt Lake club, and currently plays for the Baltimore Blast of the MISL. Second in the league in number of championships, only behind Calvert Hall, the local high school rival. This intense rivaly produces hundreds of fans every year, however. While the Dons were defeated by Calvert Hall twice in the 2006 season, they hope to fight back in 2007. Mike Potempa '97 was named the Gatorade Maryland High School Player of the Year in 1996. He played on several Youth National Teams while attending Loyola. He went on to become an All-ACC player from 98-00 while playing at Clemson University. He was drafted 69th overall in the 2001 MLS Superdraft by the Los Angeles Galaxy, but retired due to injuries. He is currenty an assistant coach at his college alma mater.
The Swimming and Diving team, led by legendary coach Keith Schertle, completed its 13th straight MIAA Championship season and top 25 national ranking in 2006. The program has produced multiple Olympians and hundreds of NCAA division I competitors, most notable are Patrick Kennedy of the 1984 US Olympic team and former University of Southern California captain Joe Curreri.
The rest of the athletic program has earned many championships in recent years as well. In 2001 the impressive sport of Rugby was introduced to Loyola Blakefield. The inaugural team was founded by Coach Robert "Bob-O" Schlictig.
Loyola Blakefield squares off every Thanksgiving Day, in the oldest continual national Catholic high school football rivalry against cross-town rival Calvert Hall College. The game, known as the Turkey Bowl is held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Loyola Dons have won the last four years, and 18 of the last 22 games. This is the one sport we can proudly say we can truly beat the Cardinals in. The game is broadcast on television and radio courtesty of WMAR News.
Notable alumni
- Author Tom Clancy
- Sportscaster Jim McKay
- Author Nathaniel Fick
- Attorney General of Maryland J. Joseph Curran, Jr.
