1964 Basketball Team (1999)

Chicago Catholic League Heavyweight Basketball Champions - a title Loyola Academy had not realized for twenty-six years until the 1964 Ramblers, despite a heavy loss from the 1963 graduating class, captured that prestigious award. As the season began, expectations were slim. However, almost from its inception, the '64 team displayed an inordinate amount of teamwork. With leadership provided by eight seniors, the team willingly put aside personal goals in deference to team objectives. The first hint of an exceptional season came in the pre-season DePaul Tournament wherein the Ramblers took third place by defeating a highly favored St. Rita team. In the conference play that followed, Loyola finished 9-3 for a second-place North Section tie with DePaul Academy. A one-point playoff win over the Demons led to a semi-final match-up with highly-touted South Section champion Mt. Carmel. Trailing by ten points with only two minutes to play, the Ramblers exacted a tenacious full-court press that netted a two-point victory in one of the greatest comebacks in Catholic League history. After the thrilling semi-final win, the Catholic League championship game victory over Gordon Tech was almost anti-climactic. Even a loss to Crane Tech of the Public League in the City championship game in no way tarnished the 1964 Heavyweights' accomplishments. As Coach Gene Sullivan later commented, "I've had teams with more talent but none with more gumption. That trait alone carried these players to a League championship they richly deserved." Individually, the '64 champions featured two outstanding guards in Mike Hogan and Alex McIntosh, the former scoring twenty-eight points in the City championship game and thus being named its MVP. The forward positions were manned by four seniors - Terry Murray, Kevin Rassas, Dick Ryan, and Danny Sullivan. At center, junior Dan Quinn, though only 6'3", turned in a yeoman performance. Bench help came from All-State halfback Bob Corby, senior Bill Edwards, and juniors Tom O'Loughlin, Bob Moody, Mike Graham, Dan Pavlak, and Paul Kalmes. The 1964 Rambler Heavyweights epitomized team play, and therefore, it is especially appropriate that together they enter the Loyola Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. 1964 Basketball Team (left to right) Bob Corby, Terry Murray, Bill Edwards, Paul Kalmes, Al McIntosh, Dan Pavlack, Dan Sullivan, Dick Ryan, Mike Graham, Mike Hogan, Dan Quinn, Tom O'Loughlin, Kevin Rassas, Bob Moody, Coach Gene Sullivan.