Loyola Academy PE - 1970's

This was submitted to me by a friend who graduated in 1980.

"So, as Freshmen in PE we were constantly used as human tackling dummies, mats, and B-Ball boards by the PE Staff and Sophomores who informed us that we were no higher on the Loyola Food Chain than the garbage they were throwing away outside.

Coach Erlenbaugh created a game called "Matball." Basically, it was soccer played on your knees. There were no rules except to score and the Sophomores were always pitted against the Freshmen. Well, it wouldn't take more than five minutes before fists were swinging, noses were bleeding and ankles were sprained. The worst thing that would happen would be to lose because the losers were forced to run ten laps around the gym before showering.

We all limped back to class with bruises and smiles. Somehow, it was all good, clean fun - Loyola style. I doubt that Matball is in the Loyola Academy curriculum in 2008.

In the end, it was the little things like that which toughened you up and enabled you to endure the academic rigors. There was a definite method to the madness."

From Matball to Ballet and Tap. Need I say more?