Alumni Notes – December 2020
With an alumni base that is more than 16,000 strong, Loyola Cubs from far and wide have had many notable accomplishments and continue to share some exciting news. Read below for some fun info about our alums.
Bill Fischer ’67 Remains Active in Martial Arts
William M. Fischer, who helped establish the Loyola High Karate Club back in 1966 with fellow Cubs Warner Beier ’67 † and Mr. Bob Buschelman ’57, has remained active in martial arts more than 50 years later. He attended Pepperdine Law while training in Danzan Ryu jujitsu at the same time and was most recently promoted to Judan—tenth-degree black belt—by the organization, Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai, at a ceremony in Boulder City, Nevada. Representatives in attendance from three other Danzan Ryu organizations also presented certificates of promotion. Loyola’s Karate Club was the first karate club in a Catholic high school in the nation at the time, and Fischer continues to teach and practice.
Eric Ortiz ’92 Shares Children’s Book
Loyola alum Eric Ortiz ’92 shares his new children’s book, “How the Zookalex Saved the Village” that speaks to ideals learned at Loyola High: the importance of building community and in accepting others. Ortiz currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and three children and is a senior editor for Granite Media managing a sports website called Stadium Talk and a business site called Work+Money. He was previously an associate editor at ESPN.
Tommy Bergjans ’11 Earns All-Decade First Team Honors by D3Baseball.com
Loyola Baseball and Haverford College alum Tommy Bergjans ’11 was named to D3Baseball.com’s All-Decade Team. Bergjans was a three-time All-American and conference Pitcher of the Year and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 8th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He is now the Coordinator of Player Development for the Minnesota Twins.
Ryan Oliver ’11 Becomes Director of Operations at UC Davis
Former Loyola Basketball player and professional athlete Ryan Oliver ’11 was announced as UC Davis Basketball’s new Director of Operations earlier in the fall. Oliver helped Loyola to the 2010 CIF Southern Section title and was an All-Mission League honoree for the Cubs.
Jack Grover ’13 Named UCLA Water Polo Assistant Coach
Former national champion and All-American water polo player Jack Grover ’13 is returning to the sidelines in Westwood as an assistant coach, UCLA announced earlier this fall.
Patrick Finnegan ’13, Brandon Posivak ’16 Officially Publish Books
A pair of young alumni have had their own original works published. Finnegan’s book “Bouncing Back: Athletic Transition Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned Along the Way” features stories from pro athletes, Loyola alumni and more. Posivak’s novel titled “Step on the Cracks: Reinventing Happiness, Positivity, and Optimism” also features Loyola Cubs in its pages.
Loyola Athletics on State Schools of the Century List
The Loyola Athletics program came in ranked No. 8 in the State Schools of the Century list presented by CalHiSports. Loyola is one of just two all-boys schools to make the Top 10.
Hannon Theatre Presents Virtual Fall Play
Loyola’s Hannon Theatre Company is inviting all alumni and families to tune in to their unique presentation of the classic 19th century Russian farce, The Government Inspector, which will be released in a series of six YouTube webisodes in 2021. Visit the HTC website at www.hannontheatre.com for more and click here to watch the trailer.
