CHICAGO (January 3, 2020) – Three former standouts in three different sports comprise the Loyola University Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020, which was announced today. 
 
The 2020 class includes Frank Busch (swimming/water polo), Armando Favela (men's golf) and Brittany Gardner (softball).  Sr. Rosemary Connelly from Misericordia Heart of Mercy is the recipient of the Father Finnegan Award, while former Rambler women's basketball standout Mariann Stanton (Murtaugh) and the Danny Did Foundation will be presented the Buzzy O'Connell Award.
 
The individuals will be formally inducted on February 15 and recognized at halftime of the Ramblers' men's basketball game versus UNI that evening at 7 p.m.
 
Loyola's Hall of Fame Class of 2020:
 
Frank Busch (1969-73), Swimming/Water Polo
 
A member of the Loyola swimming/water polo programs in the 1970s, Busch was a member of the first water polo team from Loyola to make the NCAA Tournament. At the time, Loyola was considered the best water polo program east of the Mississippi River.
 
Following his competitive swimming and water polo days, Busch carved out an accomplished career as a NCAA Division I head coach at the University of Cincinnati (1980-89) and the University of Arizona (1989-2011). While at Arizona, his student-athletes won 48 individual NCAA titles and 31 relay titles. In 2008, Busch guided both the Arizona men and women's swimming teams to NCAA Championship titles. A six-time NCAA Division I Coach of the Year and 11-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Busch was also recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and USA Swimming with Coach of the Year awards.
 
After 31 years of college coaching, Busch became the National Team Director of USA Swimming (2011-17) and led the Team USA campaigns that earned 31 medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and 33 medals at the Rio Olympics in 2016. 
 
Busch was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
 
Armando Favela (2005-09), Men's Golf
 
Arguably the great men's golfer ever to don the Maroon and Gold, Favela finished his career with a 74.7 stroke average and was a three-time All-Horizon League selection, while placing in the top 10 at the Horizon League Championship three times in four seasons.
 
A two-time Horizon League All-Tournament selection, the left-hander posted the lowest single-season average in Loyola men's golf history when he posted a 73.6 mark in 2006-07. Favela captured tournament medalist honors four times in his career and in 2008 placed first overall at the 22^ndPGA Minority Collegiate Championship.
 
The Tijuana, Mexico native also qualified for the 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship and notched a 152 (76-76) in stroke play. Favela has gone on to a successful professional playing career and has been competing since 2010 as a professional, participating on the PGA Web.com Tour and PGA Korn Ferry Tour.
 
Brittany Gardner (2011-14), Softball
 
Gardner is the most accomplished pitcher in Loyola softball annals, earning pitcher of the year recognition in both the Horizon League (2012) and the Missouri Valley Conference (2014). The left-handed hurler compiled a 67-49 career record with a 2.52 earned-run average, three saves, 81 completes games, 25 shutouts and 753 strikeouts, graduating as the Ramblers' all-time leader in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched (751.2). 
 
A three-time First Team All-Horizon League pick, who also was a 2014 First Team All-MVC selection, the Orland Park, Illinois native was also a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honoree. 
 
Gardner helped Loyola to Horizon League regular-season titles in both 2012 and 2013 and pitched the Ramblers to the conference tournament championship game on a pair of occasions (2012, 2014). 
 
A three-time NFCA Scholar-Athlete Team designee, Gardner was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year in 2011 and her 205 strikeouts in 2012 set a single-season program record.
 
In addition, a pair of special award winners will be recognized during the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony on February 15. Former Loyola women's basketball guard Mariann Stanton (Murtaugh) will be presented the Buzzy O'Connell Award for overcoming adversity. Stanton and her husband, Mike, founded the Danny Did Foundation following the death of their son, Danny. The Danny Did Foundation works toward its mission to prevent deaths caused by Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
 
Sister Rosemary Connelly, the executive director of Misericordia Home, will receive the Father Finnegan Award, for outstanding contributions to youth. Sister Rosemary has served in her current capacity since 1969 and Loyola has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the residents of Misericordia, performing numerous community service events at the Home each year.