After twenty successful years as the Director of Athletics and the backbone of a talented organization here at Loyola, Joe Boylan will retire July 1, 2010, thus beginning the search for the next leader to take on and continue the progress made thus far. At the helm of a department accomplishing many athletic feats during his tenure here at Loyola, Mr. Boylan is about to witness one of his greatest undertakings coming to fruition: the opening of the 6,000-seat Ridley Athletic Complex this spring.
However, it is impossible to measure the success of Boylan's career here solely on athletic awards and accomplishments; one cannot forget what he has done for the department and what it stands for: integrity.
According to Boylan himself, he has the best job in America. Not only is it his job to manage and organize the department but to provide the best experience to all the student athletes, coaches and staff while they are here at Loyola.
Mr. Boylan puts it best saying, "We want to give them (student athletes) something to be proud of no matter what, to create school pride. At alumni events they don't talk so much about the wins and losses but about specific events that happened, the memorable moments. No matter what the sports are, all the athletes are, and should be given the opportunity to get their moment in the sun, or Greyhound, and I think that's important. "
This outlook has made the Athletic Department at Loyola, one of high integrity and one aimed at the cura personalis, developing the whole person.
" Loyola gives one an unique opportunity to see an institution integrate values into a program and that there's more to athletics than winning games; we want to develop the total person: mind, body and spirit. We ask what our athletes doing five years post graduation. Are they in a job where they are qualified? Are they contributing to society? If we can answer yes to both those questions, no matter the losses, we have been successful in contributing to their whole person. IF we cannot say that then what is the point?" says Boylan of the mission of the Athletic Department.
With such strong values embedded into the program by Boylan and his staff, it is only obvious that the next Director of Athletics must share the same beliefs and values to mesh and continue with our current program.
Father Brian Linnane, Loyola's President, says the next Director must be "very dynamic and a real leaders who can build on the enormous progress of Joe Boylan with great enthusiasm." Father Linnane is intimately involved with the new search. He will be getting to know all the candidates on a more personal level, trying to understand their vision for the future of athletics at Loyola.
In addition to Father Linnane, a Search Committee has been formed, lead by Mr. Marc Camille, also including two students, a coach, faculty and administrators and trustees. In partnership with Parker Executive Search and Laurie Wilder, the committee is conducting a nation-wide search for the person who will best fit Loyola's needs.
Stephanie Dunn, a senior on Loyola's women's tennis team, is the student athlete nominated by the Student Government Association and Student Athletic Advisory Committee to serve on the Search Committee. Dunn brings an important opinion to the table as a student athlete at Loyola with experiences that the Director of Athletics directly affects.
"The Athletic Director should understand the value of the 'student-athlete,' because our success in the classroom is equally important as our success on the court. Balancing Loyola's rigorous curriculum while traveling to compete and represent the University is a challenge every student-athlete faces each season. The support outside the athletic arena is critical to our well-rounded success. Loyola's current resources, such as academic advising, tutoring, and support from faculty, are vital and must continue to be a priority for our new athletic director," says Dunn of what qualities the athletes value in a Director of Athletics.
While the Committee is looking for someone with vision a variety of experiences in leadership, marketing and promotion of collegiate athletics, they are also focused on looking for an individual with integrity and appreciation for the Jesuit values and mission that Loyola supports and stands for.
"The new director has big shoes to fill…We want someone willing to build upon the foundation of excellence in the athletic departments and programs here at Loyola and who has a vision for intercollegiate athletics…Some with good experience engaging the community…and a good record of leadership. And, without a doubt they must possess the utmost integrity," says Camille of the qualities in which he feels the next Director should possess.
When asked what he feels are important qualities for his successor to have, Boylan simply responds, "integrity. They must care about the student athlete experience being a good one and are committed to the Jesuit values."
Stephanie Dunn, as a student, also recognizes the importance of and emphasis that the committee is putting on hiring a candidate of high morality saying: "We are focused on finding a candidate who will strive to lead the University to winning seasons while maintaining integrity… Loyola's standing as a successful Jesuit institution speaks for itself and I am confident the University will attract ethical candidates. The search committee has no interest in a candidate who does not value the Jesuit ideals of our institution."
Mr. Camille agrees, adding "It is essential that the person has an understanding and appreciation for the Loyola Jesuit heritage, identity and mission. They must be able to support and endorse it to the fullest extent."
With such great accomplishments and advances throughout the career of Joe Boylan, it is hard to imagine someone surpassing his accumulated success. Fortunately, everyone involved is very optimistic and confident that the new Director, whoever he or she will be, will continue to build upon Mr. Boylan's progress.
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