Congratuations and Thanks to Loyola Coach Guth and the Ramblers

Yesterday, the Loyola Ramblers women's basketball team lost 71-64 in a quarterfinal game of the Atlantic 10 tournament. They won their first round game, a gritty 61-59 win over St. Bonaventure. Unfortunately, Rhode Island was just too tough yesterday.

I have written several times about my respect for Loyola Head Coach Allison Guth. Intense, positive, engaging are just a few of her positive traits. She is a real pleasure to know and to cover. 

A three-year letterwinner at the University of Illinois, Guth began her coaching career as an assistant at Loyola. Among other coaching stints, Guth completed the Chicago trifecta with stops at Northwestern and DePaul, before becoming Head Coach at Yale in 2015. Guth joined Loyola as Head Coach in the spring of 2022. 

After a rough 6-24 first season, Coach Guth has led the Ramblers to flirt with .500 overall each season. The Ramblers finished 14-17 this season, but went 9-9 in Atlantic 10 Conference play for the second straight season.

I have seen firsthand how Gentile Arena has become increasingly louder and more positive. That starts with Coach Guth. After every home game, Coach Guth takes the mic and thanks all the fans and gives a few thoughts on the game. It doesn't matter if it is an edgy one point loss, a crushing blowout loss or any win, Guth faces the crowd and speaks from the heart.

She is the same in post game press sessions. She goes out of her way to thank each reporter. I cannot speak highly enough about Coach Guth.

For more info on the team, go to loyolaramblers.com. Check here for my recurring coverage.

Allison Guth and me in Chicago, IL-April 2022.

On the Beat With Loyola WBB Coach Allison Guth

Last week, I had the opportunity to interview Loyola Women's Basketball Head Coach Allison Guth. The main focus of the interview was the positive vibe around the team.

A Chicago area native, Guth was a standout player at the University of Illinois before becoming a coach. After a few stops as an assistant, Guth took over the Yale squad. Two seasons ago, she came back home to coach Loyola.

I have stated numerous times, her introductory press conference was unlike any I have attended. She probably had more family and friends there than media members. The show of support was heartwarming. I quickly learned that is a big part of Coach Guth's life.

Of course she spoke of winning and building a foundation, but she spoke of family and support. I know nothing I have written sounds different from a typical intro press session, but there was just something in the air.

That feeling continued in her first season. Although the team struggled to only six wins, I felt something building. The team had a new coach in a new conference, while dealing with a lot of injuries. Despite that and their record, I always felt the team was so close. They just always fell short.

This season, I predicted a .500 finish. They fell a tad short at 15-16, but it was still a major success. After beating Fordham n the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, they fell to Richmond to end their season.

In our interview, Coach Guth discussed that first press session and the two seasons. She talked of improvement. Coach Guth spoke of the success, while still having a way to go.

I have been impressed with Coach Guth from the moment I met her and my respect has only grown. I can't wait for next season!

Check out the interview at On the Beat With Loyola WBB Coach Allison Guth on YouTube. Also, go to LoyolaRamblers.com for more info on Coach Guth and the team.

Thank You Coach Allison Guth and the Loyola Ramblers

The Loyola Women's Basketball team finished an underwhelming 6-24, ending with a 16 game losing streak. Despite the ugly record, I had a lot of fun covering the Ramblers this season.

The Ramblers often played with less players than opponents. That left the starters exhausted by the end of the game, missing shots and sluggish on defense, when they ordinarily would have been much better. They also had a new coach and played in a new conference.

I am not making excuses for the record. Good teams rise above. Loyola Coach Allison Guth would be the first to say that.

I like Coach Guth. I find her to be positive and refreshingly open and honest. Her players speak glowingly of her, both on and off the record.

Was this season part of a learning curve? Will a new crop of first year players adapt to Coach Guth's system quicker? Will the four or five returning seniors use their experience and lead the team to a better season?

Only time will tell, but I actually believe next season will be much improved. I'm not blindly positive. I just saw a lot of heart and talent. Coach Guth's hands were tied, but you can't win playing your starters 35 or more minutes each. With healthier players and one year of Coach Guth's system, the Ramblers will have a better season. I could honestly see them doubling their wins.

Check back here for my recurring coverage. Also go to LoyolaRamblers.com for more info on the team.

Allison Guth and me in Chicago, IL-February 2023.

On the Beat With Loyola Women's Basketball

Earlier this week, I took part in the Atlantic 10 Media Day session featuring the Loyola Ramblers Head Coach Allison Guth, along with senior players Julia Hoefling and Sam Galanopoulos. That session can be found at On the Beat With Loyola WBB Media Day.

The Atlantic 10 Conference held Media Day for women's basketball, featuring individual sessions with the coach and two players from each school. Conference newcomer Loyola University was represented by new Head Coach Allison Guth and senior players Sam Galanopoulos and Julia Hoefling.

Chicago area native Coach Guth returns to Loyola. Where she served as an assistant 2005-2007. She was also an assistant at Missouri, DePaul, Yale and Northwestern, before being named Head Coach at Yale in 2015. Prior to embarking on a coaching career, Guth was a three-year letterwinner at the University of Illinois.

Guth takes over a Loyola team that was 18-12 last season. She inherits a team with four seniors. She also gets incoming seniors Emma and Sophia Nolan, who transferred from St. John's.

Since her arrival, Guth has showed a lot of energy and positivity. She has discussed the importance of family, friends and support, thanking both those around her and all of her players. This was all very evident in her introductory press session in the offseason and she reinforced it in this media session.

Guth discussed what to expect from her and the team. She talked about the challenges for Loyola in their new conference. The Ramblers previously played in the Missouri Valley Conference. She discussed adding the Nolan sisters and relying on her seniors for leadership as the team adjusts to the new coach and new conference.

Representing those seniors, Hoefling and Galanopoulos stated they are excited about the challenges and ready to lead. Both discussed the challenges and rewards of new coaching and new conference.

During her three years at Loyola, guard Galanopoulos played 86 games, averaging 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds and assists in 25.6 minutes. Last season, she had career highs, averaging 7.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 29.9 minutes.

Forward Hoefling also had career highs last season. She started 29 games, and averaged 4.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.8 minutes.

Guards Anna Brown and Jala Johnson are the other two returning seniors. The addition of the Nolan sisters will create competition for playing time, hopefully resulting in everyone rising to the challenge.

Loyola opens their exhibition season hosting Purdue Northwest Sunday, October 30. They open their regular season at Western Michigan Monday, November 7. They also play at Milwaukee, before their home opener Wednesday, November 16 against Virginia.

Much like at Guth's introductory press conference, I expect the stands at Gentile Arena to be filled with family and friends ushering the new era. I will also be there, in media row.

Follow my coverage all season right here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and EveryDayFan.com. Go to LoyolaRamblers.com for more info on the team.

On the Beat With Loyola WBB Head Coach Allison Guth

A few days ago, on Global Women's Sports Radio, I wrote about Loyola hiring Allison Guth as their new Head Coach of Women's basketball. This morning I attended her introductory press conference.

This was unlike any press session I have attended. As I sat in the media area of the practice facility, I saw the room fill with one large group, which included several youngsters. I learned this was Coach Guth's family. Especially with the children, it created a lively atmosphere.

Upon her introduction, Coach Guth explained she comes from a large family, many of whom were in attendance. Coach Guth then went on to liken that family bond to creating a family situation on the women's basketball team and Loyola in general.

Coach Guth discussed the significance of returning to Loyola. She cited a fun story of her drive today in the car she borrowed from her dad. It brought back memories of her youth with her dad driving her to practice. In just a few minutes, it was very clear how important family is to Coach Guth. It was heartwarming to say the least.

She continued with talk to Loyola moving to the Atlantic 10. It's a fresh start for Loyola and it brings new challenges and opportunities.

I briefly talked to Coach Guth after the session. She spoke of being surrounded by her family, meeting the tam and the challenges ahead of her. Ever the positive person, Coach Guth again eschewed calling them challenges, preferring to look at all as opportunities.

I was very impressed by Coach Guth. Her record speaks for itself, but this was a glimpse into the person. She is fun, engaging, optimistic and rooted in family. Combined with her history, she is all you want in a coach.

Loyola's season only recently ended, but Rambler Nation is ready for next season. I am quite sure Coach Guth is already working on it.

The interview is at On the Beat With Allison Guth. Check back here for my recurring coverage.