Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight
Nominate a Loyola New Orleans student-athlete who exemplifies the Jesuit ideals of pursuing excellence and living a life with and for others through their dedication to academics, athletics, and service -
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March 2026
Leonard Jackson/Men's Basketball
Loyola University New Orleans Athletics is proud to recognize senior men's basketball player Leonard Jackson as the latest feature in the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight, a series that highlights Wolf Pack student-athletes who embody the Jesuit values of leadership, service, and the pursuit of excellence.
For Jackson, choosing Loyola was about more than basketball. From the moment he stepped on campus, he felt a sense of belonging that helped shape his college decision.
"I chose Loyola because of the welcoming community that made the campus feel like home," Jackson said. "When I visited Loyola, I had the opportunity to meet the players and other students on campus, and they helped point me in the right direction on what to expect and how to approach college. Once I got home, I felt like I was being welcomed into a community before I was even a student, and that's what made my decision easier for me."
A senior majoring in Digital Communication with a minor in Marketing, Jackson has embraced opportunities to grow academically while continuing to develop as a leader on the court. As he looks ahead to the next chapter, Jackson hopes to continue pursuing his passion for the game while also building a future in sports media.
"My plans after college are to pursue a professional career in basketball while continuing to develop my skills as a color commentator," Jackson said.
During his time with the Wolf Pack, Jackson has developed a leadership style rooted in accountability and action, setting the tone for teammates through his work ethic and approach.
"It means leading by example through actions," Jackson said. "Being able to lead through actions is vital when it comes to leadership, because when someone visually sees someone achieving greatness, that will motivate the next person to follow in those exact steps, or even better."
Off the court, Jackson places a strong emphasis on building relationships and fostering a positive community around him.
"I'm easily approachable when out and about," Jackson said. "I enjoy connecting and meeting new people each day, inspiring others to do the same. I encourage myself to speak to one new person a day because it helps with expanding networking skills and boosting others' spirits."
Jackson's commitment to leadership, connection, and personal growth embodies the spirit of Loyola's Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight, recognizing student-athletes who strive to make a positive impact on their teams, in the classroom, and throughout the community. His character and impact have not gone unnoticed by those within the program. His dedication to his teammates, academics, and the broader Loyola community reflects the ideals Loyola Athletics strives to cultivate in its student-athletes.
"LJ truly represents what it means to pursue excellence," his coach said. "He brings great energy every day and is a tremendous teammate who leads by example. He does the right thing even when no one is watching and takes responsibility for his actions, showing real integrity both on and off the court. LJ treats his teammates, coaches, officials, and opponents with respect and represents our program and the Wolf Pack with class in every setting.
"He takes pride in his role and balances his academics and athletics with great maturity. Outside the court, he is an active member of the community and always works to make those around him happy. LJ is everything we want in a student-athlete and truly lives out the Champion of Character values. We are very fortunate to have him representing our team and the Wolf Pack."
February 2026
William Isaac/Baseball
Loyola University New Orleans baseball redshirt junior William Isaac is this month's edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight. Isaac "creates value every single day" for the Wolf Pack baseball program without any outside recognition or accolades, showcasing the true spirit of servant leadership and the Jesuit value of living life with and for others.
"One of our key principles is value creation," Loyola head baseball coach Jeremy Kennedy said. "Will creates value every single day, and the vast majority of that is in pursuit of helping others. He does so while also being one of the most improved players I have ever coached. Will is not only deserving of this honor, but he is the type of person who this award could be named after. He's one of a kind."
Isaac came to Loyola from St. Louis, Missouri, where he was an all-conference and all-district player at the prep level. The atmosphere drew him to uptown New Orleans, but his academic prowess allowed him to receive significant financial assistance, which ultimately made his decision.
Having walked on to the baseball team, he doesn't get much playing time for the Wolf Pack. That doesn't stop him from being the best student-athlete he can be to his coaches and the best teammate he can be to his peers.
"Will is the most reliable person we have on our baseball team," Kennedy said. "He is always the first one there, he is a servant leader, and he makes our pitching staff better by being our bullpen catcher. Will is 100 percent integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. The baseball program is better because Will is a part of it."
On top of his duties for the baseball program, Isaac is working on his degree in finance and plans to move back to St. Louis after graduation to pursue a career in consulting and financial management. But for now, you can catch him at Segnette Field working with his pitchers to help the Loyola Wolf Pack get better day in and day out.
"It means a lot to be a student athlete here," he said. "Having walked on, I've learned a lot about perseverance. The work ethic and life skills I have gained from being in this program are skills and principles I'll take through the rest of my life.
"I work to be selfless and help others on the field and in the classroom to the best of my ability. I work to support my teammates and create value not just for myself but for others."
January 2026
Zoe Schmit/Competitive Cheer
Loyola Wolf Pack cheer student-athlete Zoe Schmit is this month's edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight. Schmit takes the Jesuit values of "pursuing excellence and living a life with and for others" to the next level, whether it's in competition, in the classroom, or in her spare time.
"Her kind heart, academic performance, and ability to conquer gameday are unmatched," Wolf Pack cheer and dance head coach Courtney Cadore said. "She is someone who commits to excellence and always wants what's best for the team. She effortlessly forms connections with all team members and makes new members feel welcome and included. I admire her heart and her ability to see the positive in all situations."
Schmit, who is in her junior year at Loyola, has become a leader for the Wolf Pack competitive cheerleading team. Her dedication to her sport and teammates is unmatched, and she applies Jesuit values in her stewardship of the team. But, she's finding ways "live life with and for others" away from the mat.
"Living a life with and for others not only means being someone my teammates can rely on but also transferring it to the real world," she said. "Hospice volunteering has further reinforced the importance of service to others for me, especially as a younger volunteer in a space where that presence is not very common. Witnessing these emotionally vulnerable moments has taught me to use my compassion as a tool and to be grateful for every day."
A native of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, Schmit is a biological sciences major with a concentration in pre-health sciences at Loyola, also minoring in public health and chemistry. She plans to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon, as her own personal history with an ACL reconstruction surgery fueled her passion for the medical field. As her head coach said, her ability to see the positive in all situations was shining bright during her rehabilitation.
"Though it was a tiring and painful journey, I would not take it back because it inspired me to pursue medicine," Schmit said. "An interest that has only grown stronger through my work as both a physical therapy technician and a medical assistant in the same clinic as the doctor who helped me return to what I love: cheerleading."
Schmit's commitment to service, leadership, and personal growth is rooted in the environment she found at Loyola, and it's one that aligned with her values from the very beginning. As she navigated the college search process, she was drawn not only to academic opportunities but also to a campus culture that emphasized connection, support, and genuine care for students. From her first visit, Loyola stood apart from other institutions she explored.
"From the recruiters to the financial aid office to the tour guides, everyone was genuinely welcoming," Schmit said. "It never felt commercialized or harshly competitive like most schools I toured; instead, it felt warm and personal, like they truly wanted me there. I visited colleges that made me feel as though I should have felt lucky just to be considered, but Loyola made me feel like they were lucky to have me become a part of their family, and that made my decision easy.
December 2025
Addison Luker/Women's Basketball
Loyola Wolf Pack women's basketball student-athlete Addison Luker is this month's edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight. Her dedication to excellence in everyday life shines through, as the Wolf Pack Athletics Department aims to celebrate its student-athletes who embody our Jesuit values with these monthly spotlights.
Luker achieves the Latin ideal of magis, the pursuit of "more" for the greater good, through a consistent commitment to excellence, growth, and service in every area of her life.
"Applying the Jesuit values into my day-to-day life of pursuing excellence and living a life for others is by being intentional with everything that I do and giving my best effort in everything I do," Luker said. "I hold myself to a really high standard, and I believe that excellence is about consistency and growth more than perfection. I remember being a little girl and looking up to girls who played collegiate basketball, so I remind myself to maintain a positive attitude and lead by example. Together, these values guide me to balance personal growth with contributing positively to the people around me."
Luker is a sophomore on the women's basketball team and hails from Daphen, Alabama. She majors in Biology Pre-Health and plans to eventually pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. The combination of the program's success under head coach Kellie Kennedy and the University's educational offerings made Loyola an easy choice for Luker.
"What drew me to Loyola was the culture that I felt immediately when I stepped on campus," she said. "Loyola offers strong educational opportunities and smaller class sizes, so I could have a meaningful relationship with my professors, as well as opportunities for growth and leadership. Walking into the environment of the women's basketball team was unmatched. Coach Kennedy and her team have always been very successful, and I loved the determination they brought that I had to be a part of."
Luker has seen her on-court role expand in her second season with the program. She averages 2.3 assists and a rebound per game as the backup point guard, but her roles away from the court have also expanded to showcase her dedication to leadership and service to others. Luker is a women's basketball representative on Loyola's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she holds an executive position - Vice President of Ritual - for Alpha Chi Omega, leads children every Sunday at Church of King in small-group learning and activities, and she attends Athletes in Action with Loyola and Tulane student-athletes.
"Being a Loyola student-athlete means growth," She said. "It means learning how to handle pressure, embracing tough moments, and staying motivated throughout it all. There are so many lessons that I have gained and will continue to learn throughout my years. I have gained friendships that go way beyond the court, and that will last me a lifetime. To me, being a student athlete goes beyond just a title; it is an identity that is built on dedication, balance, and determination to succeed in all areas of life."
Luker embodies magis by striving to be more attentive, more committed, and more generous. Not for personal recognition, but to positively impact her teammates, classmates, and community. Her life reflects the Jesuit ideal of excellence in service, making her a true example of magis in action.
"Addi is so deserving of this recognition! She exemplifies excellence and service in so many ways. She is such a great teammate who cares immensely about her team and teammates. She is always striving to be her best and is incredibly determined to become a great part of our women's basketball program. Addi's faith shows in how she walks through life every day. I am so proud of her and am honored to be part of her experience at Loyola."
November 2025
Connor Meigs, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
This month’s edition of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight goes to senior Connor Meigs, whose leadership just recently helped the Wolf Pack men’s cross country finish second at the SSAC Championship earlier this month. The Wolf Pack Athletics Department aims to celebrate its student-athletes who embody our Jesuit values with these monthly spotlights.
Meigs wrapped up his senior cross country season with a seventh-place All-Conference performance at the SSAC Championship, leading the Wolf Pack with an eight-kilometer time of 26:31.96.
“Now in his senior year, Connor has developed into one of our best runners and our top team leader,” Geoff Masanet, Loyola cross country and track and field head coach, said. “His improvement curve has been amongst the most extreme I’ve seen in my coaching career. However, he has also always shown himself to care about his teammates more than himself and motivates others as much with his words as he does by leading by example. Connor is a straight-laced guy who is dependable and trustworthy and has a terrific balance with his studies and outside musical interests - he is not defined by athletics by any measure.”
The Raleigh, North Carolina, native was immediately interested in Loyola New Orleans because of the music industry program, then once he found out he had the ability to join the cross country/track and field programs, he was 100 percent sold on his decision. He graduates this December and plans to chase a music career, playing as many gigs as possible while recording and releasing original music.
“I think I've grown so much simply because of my involvement in our team and collegiate athletics, and I definitely would not be the same person if I weren't a part of it,” Meigs said of what being a Loyola student-athlete means to him. “Especially in cross country, the way that the team bonds is incredibly unique and special because, at a certain point, nobody really likes running, but having a team suffering right alongside you and working incredibly hard to get better every single morning is motivation like no other. This sport and this team mean so much to me because it has literally shaped who I am in all aspects of my life.”
His nominators praised his leadership and sportsmanship skills while propping up his teammates to be the best they could be.
“I've found that those Jesuit values are kind of baked into this sport already,” Meigs said. “At least in my mind, I'm already pursuing excellence, trying to do my absolute best in every single race and workout, inherently. In a similar way, being on a team, especially a team that is dedicated and loves its sport, automatically fosters an environment that thrives on dependence. There is rarely a morning when I'm thrilled to be awake at 6 AM, running sometimes upwards of 15 miles, but again, knowing that my team is probably just as tired and just as excited to be there, but they show up anyway and depend on me to be there with them, makes any and everything we have to do worth it. I do like to run for myself, but running with and for the other guys makes this sport really mean something.”
On top of his academic and athletic obligations, Meigs also serves as a Building Manager for the University Sports Complex, where he displays his leadership skills there as well.
“Connor is an amazing student worker who holds himself and those around him accountable,” Bryiana Richardson, Assistant Athletic Director for the University Sports Complex, said. “His care for people is evident in his patience with helping our patrons with tasks. I always look forward to the joy he brings to the facility, whether sweeping up or adding a funny, sometimes enlightening note to the facility's end-of-the-day report. Connor has been an exemplary leader on and off the course.”
October 2025
Cole Haase, Men's Golf
Loyola University New Orleans sophomore Cole Haase is the feature of this month's Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight, as the Wolf Pack Athletics Department aims to celebrate its student-athletes who embody our Jesuit values.
Haase is a sophomore business management major on the men's golf team. A Gonzales, Louisiana, native, he chose Loyola because of its proximity to home and the family atmosphere Loyola's small size creates. Haase recently had open-heart surgery, which is preventing him from playing, but that doesn't stop him from being an important part of the Wolf Pack.
"Cole was one of the first guys to reach out to me when I started as the head coach," Wolf Pack men's and women's head golf coach Dalton Stiegler said. "He told me that he had open heart surgery, but he still wanted to be a leader and go to team events. That stood out to me. Here is someone who went through a major surgery, can't play golf, but shows up to be with the team at all team events. The 6 a.m. workouts and every practice, even though he is not competing yet, he is still supporting all of his fellow teammates. Cole continues to fight and get back on track so he can compete again. I look forward to seeing Cole come full circle and start competing again."
What his nominators said:
"I have known Cole since high school, and he took me under his wing during my first couple of weeks as a LOYNO student athlete. During the summer, he underwent a serious, open-heart surgery. Despite not being able to actually practice or lift anything for the first month of school, he has been at every team practice, workout, and meeting, even though it was not required of him. I think his helpfulness and commitment to the team are very admirable and deserving of recognition."
"Cole recently had open heart surgery at the beginning of this past summer. He hasn't been able to play golf and really do much of anything else, even driving a car. My reasoning for this nomination is because even with this unfortunate situation he's dealing with, he still shows up to every practice, morning run, and early morning workouts and truly exemplifies what a true captain is. As a Co-captain of the golf team, I can't even put into words how much of an honor it is to serve as captain with someone like Cole."
