Loyola University Chicago

University Archives & Special Collections

Athletics

1924 -

The department of Physical Education, which became the Athletics department in 1925, was established in 1923 when the construction of Alumni Gym provided Loyola with a place to offer athletic activities. The Athletics Department was responsible for both intercollegiate and informal sporting activities. In 1987 departmental responsibilities were separated, thus creating two departments - the Department of Recreational Sports, which handles informal, intramural, and club activities, and the Department of Athletics, which handles intercollegiate athletics. This division was further formalized in 1996 when the Department of Athletics was renamed the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Both Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports are part of the Division of Student Development and the Director of Athletics reports to the Vice President of Student Development.