Grant Bailey Speeds to Good First Impression With Ramblers Men’s Soccer

Despite this being Grant Bailey’s first year at Loyola – the Loyola men’s soccer player has already made an impression on the field – averaging over 60 minutes per game. Bailey’s efforts have contributed to the team’s explosive start of five wins, one loss and two ties. 

While admitting it’s hard to predict how an athlete’s transition from high school to college will go, head coach Steve Bode pointed out how well the Carmel, Indiana player has made the transition. Bailey’s connection to Bode extends beyond becoming a Rambler, as Bode said he coached Bailey in a U.S. Soccer National Team camp when the defender was 14 years old. Bode said he and the other coaching staff think extremely highly of Bailey as a person and as a player. 

“We thought he had all the tools to have success, for sure, over the long haul of his time at Loyola, but the fact that he came in being able to start and play almost every minute is amazing,” Bode said.  

Bode also shared how humble Bailey is as a player. The first-year said he attributes a large amount of his success to the team’s culture which was built after a retreat to Wisconsin where they played the University of Wisconsin in an exhibition game on Aug. 19.

“I probably played my best game when we played Wisconsin after that,” Bailey said. “The culture with everyone is just so good. We spent three days there together, and everyone loves each other, and they are all really supportive and the coaches and staff and everything too.” 

Bode also spoke to the influence a strong culture has on the team and the ways Bailey has contributed to the foundation of that culture.

“We really try to cultivate an environment in the team and the locker room where guys feel comfortable and guys can be themselves,” Bode said. “Our older players really respect him a lot, and he’s developed a really good relationship with the older players and his classmates as well. He’s earned a lot of respect very quickly.”

Bailey also spoke to his goals and ambitions for the season and the rest of his academic and athletic time at Loyola. 

“Personally, I’d just want to focus on just getting a lot better,” the computer science major said. “It’s great that I’m playing a lot right now. I see that I have four more years here to get better. My goals are to go pro and everything but to also get a good degree.” 

Bailey also said some of his goals for this season and at Loyola are to win the Atlantic-10 conference and a national championship.

Bailey has numerous skills that make him stand out on the field. His versatility to play on both sides and his capability to play left back while being right-footed adds to his solid play, according to Bode. 

Bode also said Bailey is extremely comfortable running into an offensive attack as well by dribbling forward with the ball to take on defenders and running from one side of the field to the other.

Bailey also has formed strong relationships with his teammates, especially first-year forward Petar Janjic who had only praise for Bailey. 

“It’s a great feeling to play with Grant because obviously he’s a very hard-working player,” Janjic said. “He’s constantly trying to do his best on the field and for the team, and he’s just someone you want to have alongside you.” 

Bringing his explosive speed, ball-handling skills and an offensive and defensive playing style, Bailey’s immediate impact for the Ramblers hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

Bailey and the men’s soccer team can next be seen Saturday, Sept. 30 at Loyola Soccer Park at 3 p.m. for senior night against Virginia Commonwealth University. The game can be streamed on ESPN+. 

Featured image by Holden Green | The Phoenix