Loyola expands horizons, opportunities for international student-athletes

Attending a university far from home is a significant decision for any athlete, but for international student-athletes, choosing to study and compete in the United States can be especially transformative. The journey involves leaving behind family, culture, and the familiar to embrace the unknown. Despite the challenges, the chance to pursue athletic ambitions at the level of competition in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) while earning a degree is a compelling incentive.

Three international student-athletes and Loyola’s director of track & field and cross country share their journeys to Loyola, the benefits of competing here, and the experiences they bring to their teammates and the University.

What brought you to Loyola?

Jason Clayton (BBA ’25), Melbourne, Australia, Men’s track & field and cross country: When I finished high school, I wasn’t ready to close the chapter on running. When Gavin Kennedy (director of track & field and cross country) reached out to me, my first reaction was, “What’s Loyola? I’ve never heard of this place.” But once I got on the phone with him, I realized it’s a really cool school in Chicago with strong academics. How can you pass up that opportunity, you know? A lot of international athletes come here because there’s a huge gap between running in high school and going pro. There’s no other system in the world that fills that gap as well as the NCAA.

Daniil Glazkov (Undecided ’28), Krasnodar, Russia, Men’s basketball: My dream as a kid was to get to the highest level of basketball, and everyone knows that the highest level is in the United States. This dream brought me here, and I’m going to work every day to pursue that dream. As for Loyola, I really trust the people here. I love the coaching staff, and we are one big family. I want to help Loyola win another championship and bring my best every game.

Why did you want to compete in the U.S.?

Thoranna Kika Hodge-Carr (MBA ’25) Keflavik, Iceland, women’s basketball: I wanted to expand my horizons. Living in one place your whole life can make you narrow minded. My dad is Caribbean American, so I wanted to explore that side of my heritage and try something new. Meeting new coaches and people was important to me, and Loyola provided that opportunity. While basketball and the school are amazing, it’s the people here at Loyola that I’ll remember the most from my time.

What is the process like recruiting international athletes?

Gavin Kennedy Waterford, Ireland, director of track & field and cross country: The first thing we always emphasize in the recruiting process is providing a world-class education in a world-class city. Chicago is multicultural and very diverse, which I believe is a significant draw. The experiences international students will have in Chicago, especially on our track & field and cross country teams, allow them to compete at a higher level in the NCAA— an opportunity they might not have back home.