John Baxter (2005)

Coach

Father John Beall called Loyola home for 36 years. In the memories of thousands of now aging men, the names Loyola and Beall are inseparably linked. He has truly been a "man for others," and a great friend to Loyola's athletes. Fr. Beall entered the Jesuits in 1942 after graduation from St. Ignatius High School. He attended Loyola University, earning a BA in Latin in 1948 and an MA in Latin in 1950. Fr. Beall was ordained in 1955, came to Loyola in 1957, and has remained a defining part of Loyola life ever since. He has served Loyola in many ways: principal, assistant principal, Dean of Students, his 27 summer sessions in Spain, his annual Life of St. Ignatius Loyola lecture, his Latin classes. Fr. Beall has had a long association with the Academy's athletic program. He served as team chaplain for many, many years and has led countless team masses and retreats. He has always been a fixture at practices and games. He even coached swimming in the early 1960s, and claims that he "taught Dick Shiman everything he knows."