When Facing Giants - Less Tears, More Questions, Developing a Path Forward.

[Graz74]

Rather than sitting around and crying about Loyola Academy's (or any non-public schools) advantage, I would like to ask a series of questions that relate to the football program's culture, development, and competitive strategy, as well as how public schools, for example CPS Magnet Schools, or even my children's own York High School might emulate such a successful model:

1. Team Culture and Development:
   • How does Loyola Academy foster a team culture that engages all 137 players, despite the limited number of starting positions available?
   • What strategies does Loyola Academy employ to ensure that bench players remain motivated and continue to develop their skills throughout the season? What about offseason development? Balancing multi-sport athletes, and position specific training (at the school or private training)
   • In what ways do the bench, scout team, second string, and starters interact to create a competitive environment that drives all players to improve?
2. Leadership Development:
   • How does Loyola Academy's football program cultivate leadership among its players?
   • What specific activities or programs are implemented at Loyola to develop leadership skills in athletes who may not get regular playing time?
3. Talent and Flexibility:
   • How does maintaining a large roster contribute to strategic flexibility during games for Loyola Academy?
   • What role do special teams play in providing playing opportunities for athletes at Loyola Academy?
   • How does the coaching staff at Loyola Academy assess and utilize the depth of talent across different positions?
4. Comparative Analysis with Public Schools:
   • What challenges do public schools face when trying to build a competitive football program similar to that of Loyola Academy?
   • What strategies can public schools adopt from private school programs like Loyola Academy to enhance their own competitiveness in state championships?
   • Recently, schools like Lockport, Maine South, Lincoln Way East and Rochester HS and Byron at lower levels successful examples of public schools that have developed strong football programs, and beat non-public private schools in State Championship game, what can be learned from their experiences?
5. Program Sustainability:
   • What are the key factors that contribute to the sustainability of a successful high school football program like that of Loyola Academy?
   • How does Loyola Academy balance competitive success with academic and personal development of its athletes?
   • What lessons can other schools take from Loyola Academy's approach to ensure longevity and success in their athletic programs?

You can cry about recruiting, but these questions explore the depth of the football program's culture, the development of players and leaders, and the transferability of these strategies to public school settings. We could all learn a lesson here.