CHICAGO (November 16, 2021) – Loyola University Chicago has accepted an invitation from the Atlantic 10 Conference, it was announced today by University President Dr. Jo Ann Rooney and Director of Athletics Steve Watson. Effective July 1, 2022, the Ramblers will begin competing in the A-10, a 14-university, 21-sport league that is universally hailed as one of the best conferences in the country.
 
"I am excited to announce that Loyola University Chicago will be joining the Atlantic 10 Conference beginning in the 2022-23 academic year," Rooney said. "The A-10 is widely regarded as one of the top leagues in the country for its success in competition and in the classroom. This move will continue to grow our visibility at a national level, while at the same time placing us in a league with three other Jesuit institutions. We are confident this is a move that positions Loyola for even greater success, both athletically and academically, in the future."
 
Fellow Jesuit institutions Fordham University, Saint Joseph's University and Saint Louis University are current members of the Atlantic 10 Conference and in joining the A-10, Loyola will renew rivalries with The University of Dayton, Duquesne University, La Salle University and Saint Louis University, which were all conference foes of the Ramblers at one time in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.
 
"Accepting Loyola University Chicago was not a difficult decision for the Presidents Council due to its similarity with our member institutions, including the value Loyola places on conducting successful athletics in harmony with a nationally recognized, broad-based educational profile," said Saint Joseph's University President Dr. Mark C. Reed, who serves as the chair of the A-10 Presidents Council. "On behalf of the leadership of the Atlantic 10, I welcome Dr. Rooney, Steve Watson and the entire Loyola family into our outstanding conference."
 
Over the last several years, Loyola's athletics profile has skyrocketed thanks in large part to a NCAA Final Four appearance in 2018 and a trip to the 2021 NCAA Sweet 16 in men's basketball, as well as back-to-back NCAA national championships in men's volleyball in 2014 and 2015. Since the start of the 2014-15 academic year, Loyola teams have made 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament, won 13 Missouri Valley Conference championships and added a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) regular season crown, while several of our student-athletes have gone on to compete as individuals at the NCAA Championships in their respective sports.
 
In addition to that competitive success, Loyola has continued to score high marks in the classroom, and over the last seven seasons has produced seven CoSIDA Academic All-America selections, while also ranking No. 1 in NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) three times in the last five years.
 
"Making this transition will enhance the experience for our world-class student-athletes, and they, along with our coaches and staff, are thrilled to be joining the Atlantic 10 Conference, which is one of the most prestigious leagues in college athletics," Watson said. "We are extremely grateful for our time in the Missouri Valley Conference, which has provided a wonderful home for Rambler Athletics for nearly a decade. We also look forward to renewing some rivalries as well as helping build the Loyola brand as a member of the A-10."  
 
Founded in 1975, the Atlantic 10 Conference boasts a total population of over 76.5 million people within its geographic footprint of eight states and the District of Columbia. Loyola's addition to the league provides the A-10 with a presence in three of the four largest media markets in the country (New York, Chicago, Philadelphia).
 
"I am honored to welcome Loyola University Chicago to the Atlantic 10 Conference, and we look forward to working closely with an exceptional group of administrators, coaches and student-athletes," said Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. "Loyola's commitment to the high-level scholastic achievement of all of its students, coupled with its excellent athletic profile, from success in basketball, soccer and volleyball to outstanding facilities and resources is a perfect fit for the A-10. The addition expands the A-10 footprint into the Chicago market, giving the conference a presence in three of the top four media markets in the United States."
 
Members of the Atlantic 10 Conference include: Davidson College, The University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University.