Athletic News | Fall 2012
rarely a trip across campus that doesn’t result in an important conversation. Put those two people together, and you have Dan McDermott.
make the leap to the collegiate level in more than one sport. Even fewer go their full college careers dedicated to more than one sport.
“In my time at Loras, I developed more of a passion for running after working with Coach Schultz. With his guidance, I also grew to better understand the importance of eating right, sleeping more and being in the weight room,” McDermott explained.
And “dedicated” truly describes Rivera.
He began running nearly 100 miles per week – a commitment he made as a result of the “environment that allows us to push each other.”
“The fact that I can do both here is a major part of why I chose Loras,” Rivera said. “All of the coaches are supportive.”
An Academic All-American who carried a 3.6 GPA, McDermott’s development as a student-athlete at Loras College paid major dividends.
If there’s one thing she is dedicated to in both sports, it is defense.
Last fall, McDermott was the first person to the finish line in a Duhawk uniform in every race he participated in. As captain of the team, he led the Duhawks to their first Iowa Conference Championship since 1997.
When it is all said and done for the Duhawk senior, she will have played in over 100 softball games and 100 basketball games.
“Defense is a big part of what I do in both. I enjoy the challenge and keeping the other team from scoring in both sports,” she said with a half-smile. Rivera takes the same intensity and dedication into her pursuit of an elementary education degree.
McDemott was also one of 15 members of the College’s first Breitbach Catholic Thinkers and Leaders program, where he developed as a leader. “Life skills like attention to detail, work ethic, team building and relationship building have all been a part of my time here,” McDermott noted, “I learned how to build a rapport with others on campus. Within the team setting, I worked hard to reach out to others to learn about their strengths and weaknesses so we could reach our goals.” McDermott graduated in May with a double major in finance and management.
Dedicate Two-sport athlete Niki Rivera (’13) (Sterling, Ill.) embodies “dedication” in how she thrives at Loras – in the classroom, on the basketball court and on the softball field.
She fills up her calendar with preseason workouts, inseason practices and games and observation hours in the Dubuque schools. She has executed lesson plans during the day and executed game plans at night. “I love working with kids and do it in the summers, with camps, too,” she explained, “Balancing my time with practice and school was big from the get-go.”
Most high school athletes go to college focused in whichever single sport was their strongest. Very few
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