The logo of the athletic teams representing Loyola University Chicago features LU Wolf, the university’s mascot.
Tracing its origins to the establishment of Loyola University Chicago in 1870, the Loyola Ramblers emerged as a formidable force in the collegiate sports arena. The foundation of this athletic division was not just an addition to the university’s offerings but a significant step in shaping the sports culture within and beyond the academic community.
The narrative of the Loyola Ramblers is enriched by their remarkable accomplishments, particularly in men’s basketball. Their pinnacle of success was reached in 1963, clinching the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament title, a landmark achievement in the annals of college sports. This victory was not just about securing a championship but also played a pivotal role in challenging and transforming racial dynamics in sports during that era. The Ramblers’ infamous “Game of Change” against Mississippi State stood as a bold statement against racial segregation. Fast forward to 2018, and history seemed to echo itself when the Ramblers made an exhilarating run to the Final Four, reigniting the glory of their past and showcasing their enduring prowess in basketball.
In the contemporary sports landscape, the Loyola Ramblers continue to be a beacon of excellence and determination. Their sustained performance across various sports disciplines, with basketball at the forefront, cements their status as a distinguished entity in the NCAA. The synergy of athletic distinction and academic rigor at Loyola University Chicago propels the Ramblers as a venerated name in the realm of collegiate sports.
What is Loyola Ramblers?
The Loyola Ramblers, representing Loyola University Chicago, are a symbol of athletic determination and excellence. They have etched their name in history, especially in men’s basketball, competing at the NCAA Division I level. Their legacy is a tapestry of historic triumphs and a testament to their enduring impact on college sports.
The original logo displayed two letters: ‘L’ and ‘U’. Both were written in a smooth sort of serif with sharp tips. The burgundy ‘L’ was put inside the yellow ‘U’ and reduced in size.
In 1990, they adopted their mascot as a central figure of the new design. It was a lean, anthropomorphic wolf with a black sweater featuring the word ‘Loyola’. He was placed in the center of a grey oval. They placed the same word along the top edge of the shape, but curved a bit. The word ‘Ramblers’ was put in the emblem’s lower part. The color was the same orange shade as the other letters, but the font was cursive and bold.
This time they took only the head of the wolf mascot and placed it inside a white ring. Along the latter, they wrote the name of the university (‘Loyola University Chicago’) in red serif letters. The word ‘Rambles’ was still below, and the style changed little.
On both the old Loyola Ramblers logo and current one, you can see only the wolf’s muzzle. The old version introduced in 1999 places the muzzle inside a shield, where it is surrounded by the words “Loyola University Chicago” (on the top) and “Ramblers” (below).
In 2012, the Ramblers updated their emblem. The head moved to the top, while the lettering on the Loyola Ramblers logo grew larger and more prominent.
The 2019 design reuses the wolf’s head from the previous logo. They removed the words and only left a big yellow ‘L’ next to the head.
The men’s team has played in six NCAA Tournaments, five National Invitation Tournaments, and one College Basketball Invitational. Although the women’s team has never played in the NCAA Tournament, they finished as runner up in the tournament final on two occasions.
The Rambler’s head coach is Neil Jones, their home arena is Loyola Soccer Park in the neighborhood of Chicago.
MAROON
PANTONE: PMS 208 C
HEX COLOR: #922247;
RGB: (146, 34, 71)
CMYK: (11, 94, 35, 31)
GOLD
PANTONE: PMS 123 C
HEX COLOR: #FEBD18;
RGB: (254, 189, 24)
CMYK: (0, 28, 98, 24)