Quinten Blair: From Redshirt to Captain

Men’s soccer’s redshirt third-year midfielder Quinten Blair’s journey in soccer has been one of high character, adrenaline and challenges. Blair has become a key piece of the team, having earned the captain accolade for the 2024 season.

Blair’s love for soccer began in Shawnee, KS when he was 3-years-old after he joined a local club team. While growing up, he wasn’t solely focused on soccer and took the time to pursue other sports, like basketball, baseball and football. 

Blair said soccer eventually won him over because of its high-energy, non-stop nature.

“To me, soccer was the most entertaining,” Blair said. “I’m not one for big breaks in between plays — I love how soccer is going for 90 minutes at a time, with no breaks compared to other sports. I am an adrenaline junkie so I wanna keep it going for as long as I can.”

Blair’s commitment to the sport led him to make a significant decision during high school. In his third-year, he moved to St. Louis to live with a host family and train with the St. Louis City SC Academy. This was instrumental for his eventual collegiate career and ultimately led to his recruitment by Loyola. 

Fellow teammate and redshirt third-year forward Matthew Andrusko detailed Blair’s rocky path to a starting position on the team and said he serves as an inspiration to other members of the team in similar positions.

“l look up to him for the fact that he came in his freshman year and redshirted because he was behind other players who beat him out of his position,” Andrusko said. “His sophomore year, he didn’t let that get to him and he took it for what it was and made the most of his opportunities.”

In the eyes of head coach Steve Bode, Blair emerged as a strong leader and great person with his abilities. 

Having first noticed Blair during his time as an assistant coach with Loyola in 2019, Bode recalled the pivotal moment which set Blair’s college journey in motion — watching him play for the St. Louis-based club team.

Blair’s standout performance caught Bode’s attention and, with Loyola graduating several key midfielders at the time, Blair quickly became a priority recruit, according to Bode. 

Blair’s technical abilities, field vision and tactical understanding of the game have all improved markedly over the years, according to Bode. Bode describes Blair as a “high-character individual,” noting the midfielder’s contributions go far beyond his abilities on the pitch.

In a team sport like soccer, Blair’s leadership extends beyond his actions, according to Andrusko. Blair has embraced these responsibilities and taken a more vocal approach, allowing him to become one of three captains on the team — a decision which felt like a natural progression, according to Bode.

Blair has played in 44 games in his collegiate career, starting in 30 of them. While he hasn’t recorded any goals, Blair has picked up three assists and 22 shots. 

Blair’s journey has also been marked by his off-the-field achievements. In his second-year, he was given the opportunity to collaborate with Loyola on a licensed merchandise line, thanks to new Name, Image and Likeness rules allowing athletes to monetize their personal brands.

He’s worked with various third-party brands while working to grow his “Blair Brand,” which he described as “energetic, lighthearted and full of joy.”

Despite his growing profile, Blair is focused on the sport which has shaped his life. He expressed his gratitude for the support of Loyola’s fans and encouraged more people to come cheer for the men’s soccer team as they make a push toward the NCAA tournament.

Blair and the Ramblers can next be seen Saturday, Oct. 19 when they take on La Salle University at Hoyne Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. with streaming available on ESPN+.