Bryan Duong, a senior finance major, has been playing basketball for years. Originally from Morton Grove, Ill., he played for Niles West in high school and wanted to carry that energy into college. Once he came to Loyola, he eventually found it on the club basketball team.
Club is different from the other basketball options on campus. While Loyola’s intramural squads are numerous and play against each other, there’s only one club team. And where the Division I team competes for a singular playing season, the club members participate all year long. It’s a competitive process in which the players have to go through try-outs before traveling to play other schools across the nation.
Now in his third year with the club, Bryan heads the team as both the point guard and the president.
What drew you to the club team? What has been your favorite aspect of joining?
When I first came to Loyola, much of my time was spent up at Halas playing basketball. Although I participated in intramural sports my freshmen year, I missed the level of commitment and accountability that came with playing on my high school basketball team. The club team provided a perfect opportunity for me to not only compete with other schools, but also to meet other students with similar interests. By far my favorite part of being on the team is the relationships I’ve built with my teammates over the years.
What has being the president brought to your involvement on the team?
As president I’ve stepped into a much larger role of responsibility and leadership. I’ve taken on a large role on the logistics side of being in a club, so becoming a president meant a great deal more involvement than just playing basketball. What led me to step into this position was the great example our past president, Lance Boehm, set for our team. He was a great leader on and off the court and players were inspired by his work ethic. I felt I could be someone that could fill that role and make an impact on our club.
What would you say to someone who is considering joining?
Club basketball is certainly a commitment. We have try-outs, practices and are away playing tournaments at other schools a few weekends each semester. However, it can be very rewarding if playing basketball at a competitive level is your thing. It’s also a great place to meet people who love the game of basketball and to build relationships that go beyond the sport.