February 14, 2003

Hall of Fame pays tribute to champions

For some men present February 8 at halftime during the men's basketball game against Xavier, old memories of last-second victories from mid-court resurfaced. Others recalled the cloying smell of oiled baseball gloves still scarred from the heat packed in by a flyaway ball.

These recollections summed up achievements that sparked the attention of the Hall of Fame Commission at Loyola. The Loyola Alumni Association gathered after the game to sponsor the induction of 19 men into the University's Hall of Fame, including James "Pel" Hughes, A'37, for football and basketball; Carl Lavie, A'51, for basketball; and the 1955 baseball team with Head Coach Jack Orsley.

Hughes played for Loyola during the short time football uniforms were donned and was called one of the finest kickers in the university's history by then-Athletic Director Moon Ducote. February 26 was "Carl Lavie Day" in New Orleans, as designated by Mayor Chip Morrison in 1951. Lavie is hailed as one of the Wolfpacks' most consistent performers and high scorers.

The baseball team was honored for its stellar 1955 season in which the overall record was 19-3, the best season of baseball at the university during the postwar era.

The reception and induction ceremony, held in the Danna Center, also awarded Kathy Gros, director of registration services, the St. Sebastian Award. The award is reserved for those who have been instrumental in the operation of the athletic department. Gros has spent much of her time filling out athletes' certification that entails whether or not they can play ball.

Vanessa Dennis, A'03, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications