inside LMU
Lion Spirit
ORIGIN OF THE LION
Although its origin is somewhat clouded, the Lion mascot has been synonymous with Loyola Marymount University for more than 70 years. According to the Oct. 5, 1923 edition of the school newspaper, the Los Angeles Loyolan, the Lion mascot was suggested by an enthusiastic fan after 1919 when St. Vincent’s College became Loyola College. Noting the Loyola football player’s fierce competitiveness, that unknown fan described the Loyola players as Lions. The name did not generate too much popularity and the Loyola athletic nickname remained “Loyolan’s” until 1923. At that time, the article explains, the college wished to inspire new pride in its athletes and fans. Noting the success of nicknames for other colleges, the college opted to give the Lion’s nickname a rebirth. Calling the old Lion mascot “mistreated and forgotten,” the article explains that the Lion would officially find its way into all college songs and cheers. The Lion has remained firmly entrenched in Loyola lore to this very day. An alternative origin story traces the nickname to the abundance of actual mountain lions which roamed Westchester when Loyola College moved here in 1927. The area remained widely unpopulated and teemed with wildlife when the school moved atop the bluffs. School officials reportedly adopted the nickname because mountain lions inhabited the area when ground was broken.
LMU Baseball
PEP BAND
In what many consider its first appearance at any LMU athletic event, the LMU Pep Band broke onto the scene late in the 2001-02 season. Bringing energy and atmosphere to athletics events, the Pep Band is the latest addition to making LMU the best place to play and watch. Making up the 35-member band, with more members on the way, are LMU students from all backgrounds. The band is in its sixth year.
LionPride
This organization is the official student booster club of LMU athletics. Seen throughout the athletic season, LionPride has been a major reason for record student attendance the last several years. With more than 1,000 members this year, LionPride will be a factor at LMU events. Open to all students enrolled at LMU, LionPride offers free admission to all home regular season athletic events, opportunity to participate in ingame promotions, drawings for valuable prizes and much, much more, including the LionPride T-Shirt. In addition, LionPride makes its way to road games thanks to multiple road trips through out the year.
when the university was known as Loyola, the current cheer team has grown to a serviceoriented organization that not only appears and supports all 21 LMU athletic teams and events, but performs community service. The cheer squad has continued to impress with its overall ingame routines with advanced tumbling, stunt and dance performances. In addition to providing support to the teams during the games, the squad will once again perform halftime and timeout routines. This year’s squad includes Kristina Alarcon, Analee Almeida, Amanda Barthel, Alyse Chong, Heather Chong, Kristen Cirillo, Oscar Contreras, Ashley Cordes, Arianne Cortes, Lisa Green, Kim Hein, Penelope Horan, Caroline Jahna, Kendra Jones, Julia Karnoski, Tracie Kogura, Thomas Miller, Teresa Moore, and Amanda Veitia.
CHEER TEAM
The Loyola Marymount University Cheer Squad became the an official varsity sport sponsored by LMU in the Summer of 2005 and are a co-ed competition team that performs annually at the USA Nationals. Serving as a “Spirit Squad” for men’s basketball
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2007-08 Media Guide
LMU GAMEDAY
Lion Game Day