Fordham women’s basketball players Takita Earl and Annie Zopf (right) deliver gifts at St. Barnabas Hospital’s Union Health Center.
Photo by Vincent Dusovic
The Fordham men’s and women’s basketball teams brightened the Christmas season for many children in the Bronx when they delivered presents to the pediatric clinic at St. Barnabas Hospital’s Union Health Center.
The men’s team stopped by on Friday, Jan. 4, while the women’s team paid the children a visit three days later. The annual event celebrates Three Kings Day, also known as the Epiphany, which marks the day when three kings arrived at the manger in Bethlehem to give gifts to the Christ Child.
“This is something we look forward to every year,” head men’s basketball coach Dereck Whittenburg said. “The players get as much out of it as the children. We feel very fortunate to be able to give back to the community.”
The gifts presented to the children were donated by Fordham basketball fans at all men’s and women’s home games prior to Christmas, and by members of the athletic department. In addition to the gifts, the children received autographed media guides and basketball posters from the student athletes.
“When you look at pictures of our players at the St. Barnabas clinic, the smiles on their faces when they interacted with the children say it all,” said Cathy Andruzzi, head women’s basketball coach. “They are a spiritual group of players who appreciate their great fortune and understand giving to those who need their love and support.”
Three Kings Day is celebrated on Jan. 6. It is traditionally viewed as the last day of the Christmas season—the end of the 12 days of Christmas.
Fordham initiated the partnership to honor Michael J. Armstrong (FCLC ’90), a Fordham basketball season-ticket holder, who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The Michael J. Armstrong Memorial Foundation supports St. Barnabas Hospital as well as Fordham basketball.
Ben Dato and Earl Hudnell Earn All-America Honors
Fordham senior punter Benjamin Dato and senior linebacker Earl Hudnell were named Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-Americas by the The Sports Network for 2007. Dato was named to the first team while Hudnell received honorable mention.
This is the second All-America honor for Dato in 2007, as he also was named second team All-America by the Associated Press in December. Both players were also named first team All-Patriot League last fall.
