Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The A-10 Tournament is taking place this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of Loyola University Chicago dancer Miabella DiGrazia about the DC foodie scene and how she thinks the Ramblers will do this afternoon.
You are from Addison, IL: what made you choose Loyola? I chose Loyola because the pharmacy program that I am in only allowed me to pick from around 10 schools for undergrad, and Loyola was the biggest one. I also had the opportunity to continue my dance career and be on a D-1 team that competes at college nationals. The pharmacy program and dance team really drew me in.
You are majoring in chemistry: how did you choose that subject? I technically do not have a major because I am not getting a bachelor’s degree from Loyola, but most of the classes I have to take are science-based. I have had to take chemistry every semester at Loyola so far because pharmacy is all chemistry-based.
You are a sophomore and will begin pharmacy school next year: how many years will that take, and what is the plan after that? I will be attending pharmacy school at Midwestern University’s College of Pharmacy in Downers Grove, IL: this is a 3-year/year-round program. Upon completion, I plan to do 2 post-graduate years of residency so that I can specialize in one area. I have no idea what I want to specialize in yet, but thankfully the first 2 years of pharmacy school will help me figure that out.
You like trying new restaurants: will you have a chance to explore the DC foodie scene this week? In the past 2 days I have been able to try 2 DC restaurants. At the café Chez Lily, I had a vanilla latte and an everything bagel, which were both spectacular. I also was able to try the chicken fried rice at Wok and Roll, which was amazing. Hopefully I can sneak in a few more restaurants before we head home!
How did you 1st get into dancing, and what is the best part? My parents put me in ballet at 3 years old and I have been dancing ever since. The best part of dance for me is getting to perform. It is one of the only sports that takes an insane amount of athleticism/skill, but also allows you to express yourself and create art.
Your team has won 21+ games for the 2nd straight year: is it more fun to support the team when they are doing well? I always love getting to support the Ramblers. The team doing well the past two seasons has only made my job easier: I get so into the games and take pride in making Gentile Arena come to life on game days. The energy in Gentile is always electric and I think that Dance/Cheer/Band along with our student section (The Pack) do a great job at getting all the fans involved in the game.
What has been the highlight of your season so far: starting 8-0, Senior Night, other? The highlight of my season so far has been cherishing all my “lasts”. My college dance career looks a little different than most because I only get a rookie season and a senior season. I am so thankful to my Coach (Gina Parenti) for all the opportunities she has given me and for treating me as a senior. These are moments that I will cherish for a lifetime.
How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Our coaches pick the girls who have been excelling during game day appearances and always bring the energy. They also look at how each spirit team member participates in and out of practice and how they are committed to embodying what it means to be a Rambler. It is so exciting that we get to perform in such a big atmosphere. Getting to travel for the A-10 Tournament is something that my younger self would not have thought was possible, but I know that she would be so proud of where I am at. I had always assumed that my dance career would end after high school so being here is a dream come true.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? We have been soaking in all the teammate time that we can with coffee runs every morning, exploring monuments/museums/federal buildings in the afternoon, and team bonding and review sessions every night. It has been so special to share this experience with my best friends.
The Ramblers are the #4 seed this week: how far do you think they will go? They are going all the way: this team has the drive/passion to make it far this season. With the band, spirit teams, and a ton of fans here to support them, I know the boys are ready to win!
