Men’s Basketball Speaks at Bronxdale High School

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Bronx, N.Y. (November 5, 2014) – Six members of the Fordham University men's basketball program spent their off day by speaking with students at Bronxdale High School on Wednesday, spreading a message of academics, making proper life choices and setting and reaching goals.
 
Antwoine Anderson, Ryan Canty, Ryan Rhoomes and Manny Suarez were joined by assistant coach Mike DePaoli and director of basketball operations Mike Quinn in the gym at the school to speak to over 100 students.
 

Anderson and Suarez spoke of their academic struggles in high school, which caused both to be ruled ineligible to play as freshmen last year. Both players stressed to the students to take their studies seriously and not slack off, thinking it doesn't matter.
 
"I didn't take school seriously my first two years and when college recruiters came to look at me it became an issue." Anderson said. "Luckily my mother really pushed me to improve and even though I wasn't able to play last year, she helped me get to that level where I was able to get a scholarship to Fordham."
 
Canty brought up the importance of preparation and how it influences achievement. He spoke of his personal habits of preparing for practice, games and academics while Rhoomes spoke with the teenagers of his own experience as a teenager, growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, surrounded by friends who were making bad decisions.
 
"I was lucky in that I was able to get out of that environment before I got too caught up in it," said Rhoomes. "A lot of the people I used to hang out with turned to drugs and some are now in prison."
 
Quinn broached the topic of setting goals and doing whatever is necessary to reach those goals, even if it's something as simple as having the best week possible. "Everyone here should go home tonight and think about what their goals are, write them down and then surround yourself with people who will help you to reach those goals."
 
Before taking questions, DePaoli wrapped things up by telling the students how basketball gave the four Rams a sense of direction and kept them on the right track. He implored the Bronxdale students to find their own cause that they could be fervent about.
 
"What is something in your life that keeps you on course?," DePaoli asked the audience. "Find that something that you are truly passionate about and use it as a tool to help you reach your goals."