1937 Track & Field Team (2000)

The 1937 Track and Field Team proved to be one of the finest groups of runners, jumpers, and throwers ever assembled by legendary coach Lenny Sachs (Hall of Fame 1985), winning a Catholic League championship for the first time in a decade while taking its proper place among the great teams of Loyola's first half-century. Coach Sachs brought his men along slowly, steadily and assuredly nurturing their development under his expert tutelage. In early season meets, the team looked solid. Led by captain Charlie Barrett in the sprints, Ambrose Graham in the high jump and hurdles, Emil Mennes in the 440 dash, Robert Hammes in the pole vault and high jump, Jack Murnighan in the high jump, and Jim Lyons in the hurdles, Loyola's track men performed well, promising great things lay ahead. The season culminated in the Chicago Catholic League championship that spring. Loyola emerged victorious, with four athletes claiming individual titles. In the running events, Barrett took the 100 yard dash in 10.0, and Mennes captured the 440 yard dash in 52.3. The field events also provided two champions: Graham cleared 5'10.5" to take the high jump crown, and Hammes vaulted 11' 11.4" to wrest the pole vault title. Loyola had once again claimed a Catholic League track title, proving that the 1937 Track Team surely belonged to the proud tradition of track and field excellence that is Loyola's.