Football Holds 24th Annual Fordham Gridiron Club Golf Outing

Eastchester, N.Y. – With the spring semester in the books, the Fordham University football program held its 24th Annual Fordham Football Gridiron Club Golf Outing on Monday, May 15, at the Leewood Golf Club.
 

Following a day on the links, the group enjoyed dinner in the clubhouse and heard from Gridiron Club President, Jack Pieracini, FCRH '98, along with Director of Athletic Dave Roach and head coach Andrew Breiner, who all stressed need for support of the program.
 
Former Gridiron Club president Judge Robert Holdman, FCRH '86, LAW '91, welcomed everyone and introduced Pieracini, who shared his three key points for the club moving forward:
 

• Continue the traditions of the Gridiron Club, which was started by Rich Marrin, FCRH '67, LAW '70, and take the club to the next level.

 

• Bridge the gap with those who were present and their teammates to get more alumni involved in the Gridiron Club.

 

• Help the graduating seniors find employment.

 
"Helping the seniors find jobs is one of the core pillars of the foundation of the Gridiron Cub," said Pieracini. "When I graduated Rich Marrin and the alumni in the club where there for me and helped me get my foot in the door. That's something we should all be doing for every senior on the team."
 
Following dinner, Roach took the podium and highlighted two keys events that occurred last season, the Ram Crusader Cup game at Yankee Stadium and the inaugural Fordham Athletics Gala and Hall of Fame Ceremony.
 

"We always strive to be a cut above and do things that enhance our programs," said Roach. "But doing special things for student-athletes and programs requires funds and we need you help in raising those funds to support these initiatives."
 
Roach then introduced Breiner who mentioned that the Gridiron Club Golf Outing is his favorite event of the year as he gets to interact and meet with football alumni. He then recapped the 2016 season, a season in which the Rams finished 8-3 but saw their streak of three straight NCAA FCS Championship appearances snapped.
 
"I was pleased, but not satisfied, with last year," said Breiner. "I was really proud at how we finished the last three weeks of the season after the loss at Lehigh. I think the Colgate game was the best all-around game we had all year and then to finish up with a win at Bucknell is a testament to the dedication of the team."
 

Breiner then looked ahead to the 2017 season, a season in which the Rams will open their schedule at Army and then host national power Eastern Washington in week three.
 
"No one has higher expectations for us than I do," said Breiner. "We return 14 starters, including one of the best quarterback/running back combinations in the country with Kevin Anderson and Chase Edmonds. We have built a program that can bring in the top FCS teams in the country as we have Eastern Washington coming to Jack Coffey Field on September 16 and I expect the stands to be packed for that game."

Breiner mentioned how the non-conference schedule will get the Rams ready for the Patriot League, a league where there is no margin of error as the past two champions have gone undefeated in league play.
 
Breiner concluded with a plea to those in attendance, and their former teammates, for support. "We're coming off five straight winning seasons, which is unprecedented in the modern Fordham football era. But to keep that going we need unprecedented support from you. We need everyone to raise their level of commitment so we can move forward on some important projects, including the new football offices."
 
The Rams open the 2017 season on Friday, September 1, as they travel to West Point to take on Army West Point at 6:00 p.m.
  
Winners of the golf contests:
 
First Place (Foursome) – 62
Dan Cassidy
Chris Cassidy
Joel Cassidy
Dean Huntziner
 
Closest to Pin
Hole 11 – Dan Ottaviano (5' 6")
 
Longest Drive
Hole 14 – Ron Roemer
 
Longest Drive – Senior Division
Hole 14 – Father Dan Gatti, S.J.