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(New Orleans – March 22, 2022) The �������� community sits on pins and needles as they await tonight’s NAIA Championship games. This is the first time in 77 years that Loyola has been to the Final Four of the National Championships and if the Wolf Pack Athletics Men’s Basketball team wins tonight’s final game, it will be a historic first-time-in-a-century victory.

Loyola is the only university in New Orleans to have won a national championship, and this could be our second. The last time Loyola won a national championship was in 1946, a heyday for Wolf Pack Athletics. Loyola is “on the cusp of history, writes Times-Picayune sportswriter Jeff Duncan.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from the Loyola and New Orleans communities. We have a strong following with us here in Kansas City and know that many eyes are on us in New Orleans and across the country,” said Director of Athletics Brett Simpson. “We’re so proud of Stacy, Javan, the team, and support staff. We look forward to the opportunity to compete tonight against our friends at Talladega.”

It’s been a magical season, with Stacy Hollowell leading the Pack and former Texas Longhorn Javan Felix having joined last summer as assistant coach. Three returning players earned All-American status in 2021. During the season, Zach Wrightsil became the program’s all-time leader in points, rebounds and assists, prior to being named the SSAC Player of the Year, and Myles Burns, who was named the SSAC Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight season, and Terry Smith Jr. also eclipsed 1,500 career points during the 2021-22 campaign.

Loyola’s Men’s Basketball teams each won the Southern States Athletic Conference regular-season crown and tournament championship, gained national rankings, and broke numerous records this season. The team was also ranked No. 1 in the NAIA for two straight polls before earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NAIA National Championship tournament.

All of this has happened, too, while the Wolf Pack has been , following severe damage from Hurricane Ida. some meaningful background. and too.

Be in that number! The pack plays TONIGHT, Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. CT at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO. The game will be streamed live through the ESPN app. For tournament and event details, track the Pack on Facebook and Twitter. Far and wide, we're howling for the Pack!

In Kansas City, we’ll be pre-gaming at 5 p.m. at the Yard House, 1300 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 If you’re in town, Robért LeBlanc '00 is hosting a local watch party to cheer on the Pack. Raise a glass at Barrel Proof, 1201 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.

Or you can join us for watch parties in the residence halls on campus.