Hamden Hall’s Roman commits to Loyola (Md.)

Hamden Hall golf standout Jackson Roman has verbally committed to play golf at Loyola (Md.) next fall.

Roman said he made the commitment on Labor Day. He said he was also considering the University of Rhode Island.

“It’s really solid academically, I like Coach (Chris) Baloga and I liked his team’s mentality. That was really big,” Roman said. “I talked on the phone with a bunch of players. They are all very committed and they all had the same goals as a team, to get highlyranked and to win. I really want to win and they really want to win, That’s what drew me toward Loyola.”

Roman, a 17-year-old Kensington resident, said he visited the Loyola campus unofficially three times and made the verbal commitment to Beloga on a zoom call.

“I feel like for me and my entire family, we are relieved,” Roman said. “I don’t think we could have come up with a better option.”

Roman, a Kensington resident, is coming off an outstanding summer that included a victory at the 51st Borck Junior Golf Tournament in late July. He also won The AJGA Open Junior Golf Club Championship in Chicopee, Mass. and the U.S. Challenge Cup Boys and Girls Championship in Rumford, Rhode

Island prior to the Borck.

“Jackson really showed his true ability this summer,” Hamden Hall coach Keith Kaliszewski said. “He’s worked tremendously hard on his game and it has paid off through consistently strong tournament results. I am really proud that he has earned such a great opportunity for the next four years. Loyola is a great school and has a wonderful golf program that is at the top of the Patriot League.”

Roman becomes the second Division I player on the Hornets’ roster. Ben James, a junior from Milford, has committed to play at Virginia. Roman just hopes there is a spring season after this past one was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’d be pretty bummed if we don’t get to play (this coming spring),” Roman said. “We talk together all the time and I think we all helped each other with our solid play this summer. I’m really excited to play this coming spring, fingers crossed.”

Said Kaliszewski: “Having two NCAA Division-1 commits on the team is practically unheard of in the Northeast . ... As a group, we have really high expectations for this year and I cannot wait to see what we accomplish in the spring. It is going to be a special season.”