A Letter to Class of 2026 Freshmen from Loyola Varsity Football Coach Drew Casani
Congratulations on your acceptance to Loyola High School! My name is Drew Casani, I am a Loyola alumnus from the Class of 1991 and the head football coach, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to become part of the rich tradition of Loyola Football—a program that has produced six CIF championships, ten CIF Players of the Year, one national championship, hundreds of collegiate student-athletes and multiple NFL draftees and current players. Being part of such a great tradition here at Loyola is a commitment of time and energy that is demanding and intense, but we are looking forward to meeting you and your family this season.
All freshmen interested in playing football this fall will need to report on the following Administration Days based on the Summer Weight Training Class they are registered for:
Period 1: Monday, July 18th (during class)
Period 2: Wednesday, July 20th (during class)
Periods 3 and 4: Friday, July 22nd (during class)
During this time, we will do equipment fitting. All players will be issued a helmet, shoulder pads, practice pants, practice jersey, belt, knee pads. You will need to purchase cleats (navy blue, black or white), a football girdle (with hip and thigh pads built in) and a mouthpiece (it’s a good idea to have more than one). All of this can be purchased at Dick’s Sporting Goods or another local sporting goods store. We will have a Loyola team store online where some of this equipment will be available to purchase digitally; however, we have heard from our Nike representatives that students are better off buying cleats from a local sporting goods store this year due to supply chain issues.
Our first day of conditioning practice is slated for Monday, August 8th, leading up to our first padded practice on Thursday, August 11th. Once we begin, we will practice every day except Sunday until the season concludes in late October. When classes begin in late August, we will hold morning practices on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, practices will be held after school. During the season, games will be played on Thursdays/Fridays, with an occasional game on Saturdays. Players who do not play a significant amount on Thursday/Friday will play in the Reserve game on Saturday. The number of Reserve games will depend on how many opponents we can schedule.
We are extremely excited about the upcoming school year and football season. Through hard work and dedication, this season will mark the beginning of a great overall experience for you here at Loyola. Go Cubs! (More info below)
Drew Casani ’91 (dcasani@loyolahs.edu)
Head Football Coach | Loyola HS of Los Angeles
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WEIGHT LIFTING & CONDITIONING
There is a strength and conditioning component to help prepare you for the upcoming season. Loyola High School currently offers a freshman weightlifting and conditioning course through the Summer Session, and we expect student who plans to play football this fall to participate.
Class begins on June 20th and will end on July 22nd, 2022. Classes will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. *All freshmen football players are encouraged to enroll in either Period 1 – 8:30 a.m. class; Period 2 – 10:10 a.m. class; Period 3 – 12:00 p.m. class; Period 4 – 1:25 p.m. class.
A t-shirt will be given to each student enrolled in the class and is expected to be worn at each meeting, along with your own athletic shorts. Additionally, during the summer there will be football practices for any freshman considering participating in the fall. Practices are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (dates and times below). Any student who intends to be part of the team in the fall are strongly encouraged to attend as many of the summer practices as possible. We understand that your family vacation may interfere with some of these practices, and we encourage you to enjoy that time and return ready to practice. Players should wear navy, black or white football cleats and the t-shirt (with last name written on the front and back) and athletic shorts. Please bring water and/or Gatorade as we will be working out in the afternoon. It is important to stay hydrated!
PARENT NOTES
1. Please register your son for Frosh Football online HERE.
2. All students participating in sports at Loyola will need to purchase a “Spirit Pack”. Information for the Spirit pack will be sent out to all registered students in late May. It is strongly suggested that you order your gear early so it shows up well before the start of camp on August 8th.
3. All necessary medical records and paperwork must be turned in prior to working out. An informational flyer with directions will be included in the packet of material that your son will receive from the Office of Student Health. Please contact Loyola’s Head Athletic Trainer, Mr. Tim Moscicki, at tmoscicki@loyolahs.edu with any questions.
FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE
The first day of Fall Freshman Football practice is on Monday, August 8th, 2022 (Time TBD). From this day forward, all practices are mandatory. Please be sure to bring the following: athletic shorts, tennis shoes, an athletic supporter, white socks, navy, blue or white cleats, a towel, soap, sandals for shower, pencils, a spiral notebook (for chalk talks), a healthy lunch, sunscreen, sports drinks and/or water in large plastic bottles (a minimum of one gallon), and a plain white t-shirt with your last name on the front and back in large print, using a black marker.
You will need a mouthpiece (and an extra in case it is lost). You must also have your hair cut in the traditional Loyola buzz cut, short enough that you cannot grab it. As previously stated, we will practice every day except Sunday.
Please see the list of important dates below. Should you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cindy Cassutt in the Athletic Department at ccassutt@loyolahs.edu or head Frosh Football coach Mr. Lamont Freeman at lamontfreeman86@gmail.com.
2022 Loyola Frosh Football Summer Practice Dates
Typically run from 3-5PM on campus, though some times may vary
Tuesday, June 21
Thursday, June 23
Tuesday, June 28
Thursday, June 30
Tuesday, July 5
Thursday, July 7
Tuesday, July 12
Thursday, July 14
Tuesday, July 19
Thursday, July 21
Beginning Fall Season
Monday, August 8th | Acclimation Period
Practice: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, August 9th | Acclimation Period
Practice: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 10th | Acclimation Period
Practice: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 11th | First Day of Pads
Practice: Time TBD. When we have two practices a day, we will typically practice in the morning (around 7:00 a.m.) and afternoon (around 1:00 p.m.)