The Fordham University Rams will open their home football schedule on Sept. 19 at Jack Coffey Field, when they host Columbia University in the annual battle for the Liberty Cup.
The cup was dedicated in 2002, a year after the Columbia-Fordham game was postponed due to the Sept. 11 attacks. Those attacks claimed the lives of 43 Columbia alumni and 35 Fordham alumni, including two former Fordham football players.
“This is a very special game for us,” said Fordham head coach Tom Masella. “The spirit of the Liberty Cup helps us to realize how fortunate we are. We’re excited to be involved in such a meaningful cause.”
Schedule of Events
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. – tailgate hosted by the New York City fire department and police department football teams
• 5 – 5:45 p.m. – A.I.M Academics in Motion Youth Football Clinic
• 5:45 – 6 p.m. – honor guard ceremony with police, fire and port authority officers
• 6 p.m. – kickoff
• halftime – H.E.A.R.T. 9/11 recognition of 9/11 charities
This year’s event will feature unprecedented support from members of New York City’s first responders and 9/11 charities. Honor guard units from the city’s police and fire departments as well as the Port Authority Police Department will conduct a pre-game ceremony.
Members of the Finest, the police department’s football squad, and the Bravest, the fire department’s team, will host a pre-game tailgate and participate in a youth football clinic.
“It is an honor to be part of an event that honors heroes that have passed and rescue workers who survived,” said Pete Moog director football operations for the NYPD football team. “We live the American Dream without fear.”
The clinic will bring 500 at-risk New York City high school students to Coffey Field for the day. They will be taught football basics, then discuss life skills and the importance of staying in school. The clinic is being organized by A.I.M. Academics in Motion, a nonprofit that runs a youth development program using athletics as a conduit to greater personal and academic performance.
“The student-athletes involved with A.I.M. are excited to visit the Fordham campus. With Coach Masella creating this opportunity for us, we will be able to give our students a meaningful experience right in their own backyard,” said Jim Presbrey, chief operating officer of A.I.M.
Also, H.E.A.R.T. 9/11, an advocacy group of police, fire and construction survivors and families of victims, will be arranging the attendance of New York City based 9/11 charities, including representatives from: the September 11 National Memorial and Museum; Project Rebirth; the September 11 Families Association; and Tribute WTC Visitor Center. Those attendees will be recognized for their efforts during halftime.
For more information, please contact Cindy Mercer at Trinity Sports Partners—917-952-3613, [email protected].
