Loyola Chicago is departing the Missouri Valley Conference and joining the Atlantic 10, the league and school announced Tuesday.
The move becomes effective on July 1, 2022.
The Ramblers made a memorable Final Four run during the 2018 NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16 last season. The school also won the 1963 national title.
“I am excited to announce that Loyola University Chicago will be joining the Atlantic 10 Conference beginning in the 2022-23 academic year,” Loyola Chicago president Jo Ann Rooney said in the news release. “The A-10 is widely regarded as one of the top leagues in the country for its success in competition and in the classroom. This move will continue to grow our visibility at a national level, while at the same time placing us in a league with three other Jesuit institutions.
“We are confident this is a move that positions Loyola for even greater success, both athletically and academically, in the future.”
Loyola Chicago lost coach Porter Moser to Oklahoma after last season’s tourney run. Replacement Drew Valentine has guided the Ramblers to wins in both of this season’s games.
The Atlantic 10 adds Loyola Chicago to a league that includes Dayton, Saint Bonaventure, Saint Louis and Virginia Commonwealth.
“I am honored to welcome Loyola University Chicago to the Atlantic 10 Conference, and we look forward to working closely with an exceptional group of administrators, coaches and student-athletes,” Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade said in the news release. “… The addition expands the A-10 footprint into the Chicago market, giving the conference a presence in three of the top five media markets (New York and Philadelphia are the others) in the United States.”
The Missouri Valley reportedly is in discussion to add members. Murray State, UT Arlington and Missouri-Kansas City are all options.
–Field Level Media
