CHICAGO (April 29, 2020) – Five Loyola University Chicago student-athletes have been selected to Loyola's Maroon & Gold Society for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. Compromised of 25 rising seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership, academic excellence, and service to others, the Maroon & Gold Society represents a University-wide cross-section of undergraduate communities and leadership paths at the school.
Maroon & Gold Society members exemplify holistic development - the fusion of the academic, personal, spiritual, and character dimensions of student development. Society members are living examples of an integrated Jesuit education for leadership. As such, these rising seniors act as a liaison between the student body and the President of the University.
Representing the Ramblers in this year's class are
Alexis Meyer (Portland, Ore./Westview),
Gopika Patel (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South),
Radhika Patel (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South),
Molly Reighard (Minnetrista, Minn./Waconia), and
Kenny Wallace (Vienna, Ohio/Matthews).
A member of Loyola's women's basketball team, Meyer started in nine of her 22 appearances in 2019-20, averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. The Portland, Ore. native reached double figures in scoring on a pair of separate occasions, finishing with a career-best 14 points in wins over Chicago State and Indiana State. Off the court, Meyer serves as the President of Loyola's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the prestigious Jesuit Honors Society, and is also involved with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Loyola's Women in Leadership group.
Gopika Patel has seen action in 38 contests during her first three seasons with the Loyola women's soccer team, starting in a career-best 20 games during her freshman year. She has contributed to six shutouts as a member of the Rambler defensive unit. A member of the American Medical Student Association, Patel volunteers her time at Misericordia and the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
Also on the Loyola women's soccer team,
Radhika Patel appeared in goal in three games during her freshman year in 2017. She earned her first collegiate victory in a win over Missouri State, making a pair of saves against the Bears. Like her sister, Patel also belongs to the American Medical Student Association and volunteers with both Misericordia and the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
Reighard has made her mark during her time with the Loyola women's track & field team. She currently ranks in the program's top 10 across five different events. Reighard secured her first individual berth in a Missouri Valley Conference final last season, placing eighth overall in the 400m hurdles at the outdoor league meet. Away from the track, she has volunteered at both Lurie Children's Hospital and Misericordia.
Wallace, who runs on both Loyola's men's cross country and track & field teams, competed in five cross country meets this past fall. He clocked 6k and 8k personal bests at the Crusader Open and Bradley Pink Classic, respectively. Wallace, who serves alongside Meyer on Loyola's SAAC, has volunteered as a summer camp counselor at the Northeast Ohio Cross Country Camp and the Villa Maria Theresa Camp.
