Academy History
Founded in 1909, Loyola Academy is a Jesuit, college preparatory high school located in Wilmette, Illinois. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence, service, and leadership, Loyola has grown to become the largest Jesuit high schools in the United States. Originally established in Chicago, the school relocated to its current Wilmette campus in 1957. For over a century, Loyola Academy has shaped generations of students in the Ignatian values of faith, scholarship, service, and leadership, preparing them to be 'women and men for others' in the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Academy Achievements
Jeremy Schoenecker
Head Varsity Head Coach
Since taking over the Loyola Academy girls basketball program in the 2008–2009 season, Head Coach Jeremy Schoenecker and Assistant Coach Jon Wolfe have built one of the most successful and respected high school programs in the state of Illinois. Over 17 seasons, they have guided the Ramblers to an impressive overall record of 418–125, achieving a .770 winning percentage and averaging 25 wins per season, making Coach Schoenecker the winningest basketball coach in Loyola Academy history. Under Coach Schoenecker's leadership, Loyola has claimed three IHSA state trophies, including two fourth-place finishes in 2012 and 2025, and a historic IHSA Class 4A State Championship in 2024. That championship season saw the Ramblers complete a perfect 38–0 run, the best single season by a Class 4A team in IHSA Class 4A history. In addition to their state success, the program has captured four sectional championships—in 2012, 2022, 2024, and 2025—and eleven regional championships, consistently dominating postseason play. Coach Schoenecker has been named District IV Coach of the Year nine times, a testament to his leadership, consistency, and high-level program and player development.
A major point of pride for the Loyola coaching staff is the success of its alumni. Over 30 players have gone on to play collegiate basketball, a reflection of both the talent developed within the program and the emphasis placed on fundamentals, work ethic, and preparation. Dynamic point guard Aubrey Galvan is headed to Vanderbilt after leading Loyola to back-to-back state showings in '24-25. Paige Engels, Kelsey Langston, leaders of the 38-0 state championship team, joined Loyola alum Summer Parker-Hall at Cornell, demonstrating the academic and athletic balance fostered by the program. Julia Martinez studied at Saint Louis University. Former standout Lily Wehman played at Georgetown, while sisters Liz and Celia Satter continued their careers at Penn and Richmond, respectively. Sarah Elston went on to play at Columbia, and Shaquira Scott represented Valparaiso. Katie Faught and Jordan Moser both stayed close to home to play at Loyola Chicago. Notably, Meghan McKeown competed at Northwestern and went on to work in sports broadcasting, while Michelle Bilek, another Loyola alum, now serves as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Chicago. These accomplishments reflect the comprehensive development that takes place at Loyola—athletically, academically, and personally—under the guidance of Coach Schoenecker, and the entire coaching staff. Their legacy is not only measured in wins and championships, but in the lasting impact they've had on the lives and futures of their players.
Susie McGovern
Susie McGovern grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and attended St. Eugene Grammar School. At Maine South High School, she was a four-year varsity athlete for both basketball and softball. She went on to earn a Division I scholarship to play women’s basketball at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). After college, Susie returned to Maine South to teach and coach at the varsity level in both basketball and softball. She currently serves as the Associate Principal at Loyola Academy and continues to coach the Ramblers as an assistant for the varsity girls basketball team, helping lead the team to a State Championship title in 2024 and a fourth-place state finish in 2025.
Sarah Zarymbski
Sarah Zarymbski grew up on the Northside of Chicago, attending St. Benedict Grade School. She attended Gordon Tech High School, where she was a four-year varsity athlete for both basketball and soccer. She went on to play collegiate basketball at Judson University. After Sarah graduated, she returned to her alma mater, now DePaul Prep, to run the program and go on to win three straight Sectional titles. In 2024, Sarah joined the Loyola Academy coaching staff as a varsity assistant coach, and works in the building as a Learning Specialist.
Gilby Bailey
Gilby Bailey - a proud Evanston native, graduated from Loyola Academy with the Class of 1995. During his time at Loyola, he was a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track & field. He also coaches Football and Girls Basketball at Loyola Academy. Now a dedicated Physical Education teacher at Loyola Academy, Gilby is passionate about shaping young lives, promoting lifelong fitness, and fostering a love for health and wellness in every student he teaches
