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player ready...The Rev. Patrick E. McGrath was installed as the eighth president of Loyola in 2009. The Chicago native also is a 1984 graduate of Marist. The two schools will meet in the Class 8A football state final on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Northern Illinois’ Huskie Stadium.
McGrath earned an undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and postgraduate degrees from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and Northwestern. On the weekends he celebrates Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview and Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka.
McGrath answered some questions from Pioneer Press sports writer Matt Harness prior to the state final. Kickoff for the final is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Q: Is Saturday’s Class 8A football title game between Loyola and Marist already a win-win for you and the Chicago-area Catholic schools?
A: I’m incredibly proud that two exceptional Catholic schools will face each other in the 8A final.
Q: I told Marist coach Pat Dunne, also a Marist alum, about you, and he jokingly said he’d like you to throw a prayer his team’s way. What loyalty do you feel toward your alma mater?
A: My brothers and I received a great education at Marist. The Marist Brothers and the community of educators working there really have a great thing going. I know that they prepared me well for college and beyond and I am very grateful for that. However, when it comes to the game on Saturday, all of my prayers will be on behalf of the Ramblers!
Q: Did you play football at Marist? Did you play any sports in high school? If so, how did football or sports shape your adult life? How can playing sports in high school positively affect teenagers’ lives?
A: I did not play football. I played on the golf team for a few years at Marist. I am a firm believer in the power of athletics to form young people.
At Loyola, some of the most impactful leaders are coaches. They get to know their students and spend tremendous amounts of time with them. Life lessons about leadership, service, teamwork, learning from your mistakes and so many other critical character issues come to life most profoundly through participation in athletics.
While I am very proud of the success that [coach] John Holecek has brought to Loyola football in the W-L record and runs at a state title, I am even more proud of the person John is and the way that his character and leadership have impacted 10 years of football players. Our players are better young men because of John.
Q: How many Loyola football games have you attended this year? Will you be at Northern Illinois on Saturday? What’s been your favorite football moment so far?
A: I have attended all home games and a few on the road. I will most definitely be in DeKalb on Saturday. Among my favorite moments at each game is watching the team gather for a pregame prayer. As students in a Jesuit school, our kids are taught to find God in all things. That forced pause just before kickoff focuses them and reminds them that our goal is to do everything we do for the greater glory of God.
Q: Since you’ve been at Loyola, the football team has finished second twice (2011, 2013) and made another title game this season. What sort of credit are you taking for the program’s sustained success?
A: I suppose my prayers help, but all the credit belongs to AD Pat Mahoney and John Holecek and his coaches.
Twitter: @harnesspreps