Kelly Ratigan, a senior varsity starter on the girl’s basketball team, has committed to play college ball at Loyola University Maryland, in Baltimore, Maryland. After moving from Philadelphia to South Bend at the age of four, Kelly attended Saint Joseph Grade School, where she first discovered her love for basketball. Throughout middle school, Ratigan began playing ICCL soccer, softball, and basketball. In high school she continued playing softball and basketball, and began to improve rapidly.

After her first high school season, Ratigan said, “I decided to start my recruiting process, going into my  sophomore year.”  Starting her second season, Ratigan had already been noticed by various colleges across The United States. Her seven years of competing, practicing, and constantly conditioning had finally been rewarded. “When I was in middle school I used to watch the Notre Dame girls play, and ever since then I’ve wanted to play college basketball.”

Finally, on November 10th, Ratigan officially signed with Loyola University Maryland, surrounded by family, friends, teachers, and the coaching staff that has helped guide her through this crazy process. Ratigan explained to me why she chose Loyola, saying that, “The coaches there have been really supportive, especially this summer and that start of my senior year, and the teammates that I’ll have there are a special group of girls.”

Loyola, established in 1852, had a reputable women’s basketball program, that Ratigan believes is best suited for her needs, and will “allow her to excel to a new level.” ‘The Greyhounds’ compete at a  Division one level  in the NCAA tournament, playing teams such as Georgetown, Toldeo, and Boston University.  A new state, new people, and a new school is a wonderful opportunity to continue growing and learning and Ratigan is”excited to live somewhere else besides South Bend and get to compete with a new group of girls everyday.”

Ratigan, while committed to college, has yet to finalize her major, but intends to pursue something that would allow her on the other side of the game. Her intended plans after college include staying on the East Coast and , “working in some sort of sports management at a university.” A

thletics have been a huge part of school and social life, but also her family life. Her father, Dr. Brian Ratigan played professional football for the Indianapolis Colts, in 1994. Dr. Ratigan now is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. Dr. Ratigan also serves as the head of orthopedic sports medicine for the Notre Dame football and baseball team.

However, Ratigan says that her biggest inspiration has been her older brother Connor. “He was a big role model for me in terms of athletics and just knowing how to work hard to achieve what I want to achieve.” Connor, a junior at the University of Notre Dame, walked on to the Football program and now plays as wide receiver. It is easily said that the Ratigan family is nothing short from athletically gifted. At the end of her time her in South Bend, The Saint Joseph High community is beyond excited to watch her career play out, and cheer her on from a few hundred miles away!