Loyola Blakefield hires Roger Garfield to lead its basketball program

Loyola Blakefield has selected Roger Garfield to serve as the school’s new varsity basketball head coach. 

Garfield comes to the Dons from Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) where had been an assistant backetball coach since 2016 and has been the associated head coach since 2022. He helped the Purple Eagles become a national power and win a pair of WCAC championships. He also worked as an assistant coach at Georgetown Prep from 2010 to 2015. He replaces Josh Czerski who stepped down last month and subsequently accepted the head coaching position at Baltimore City's Meganthaler High School.

“Roger made a big impact on the search committee as an educator and coach who could build a program that will foster a culture of champions at Loyola,” Loyola Blakefield Athletic Director Blake Henry said in a news release on the school’s website. “We are excited for him to meet the team and start working on building relationships with our current players and families.” 

Garfield will also join the Loyola Blakefield faculty as a teacher.  

“I consider it both a joy and a privilege to coach the game of basketball,” said Garfield. “Leading and teaching the young men of Loyola is an extraordinary honor. Loyola is a vibrant school with a sterling academic reputation, and I am eager to contribute by modeling accountability, leadership, and a growth mindset. Through basketball, we will nurture the holistic development of our students – in mind, body, and spirit. Together, we’ll build a program of industrious, intelligent, and compassionate athletes who are prepared to serve, lead, and – in the spirit of St. Ignatius Loyola – set the world on fire with passion. The journey will be challenging, but we will embrace those challenges wholeheartedly. To the coaches and players who have helped prepare me for this moment – and to the people at Loyola who have placed their faith in me – thank you.”