Feb. 4, 2008
Bronx, N.Y. -
Over 200 Fordham University student-athletes were honored for compiling a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher at the Fifth Annual Breakfast for Champions held on January 27th in the McGinley Center Ballroom. The event was sponsored by the Fordham Athletic Department with assistance from the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and the Office of Academic Advising.
Maura McGorty-Poiesz, FC '90, GBA '92, Vice President of Wealth Management for Smith Barney, was the keynote speaker. A former member of the women's soccer program, McGorty-Poiesz spoke of her team's work and dedication to the sport as a club entity, which helped women's soccer attain varsity status in 1993.
Following McGorty-Poiesz's remarks, she was presented with a bag of Fordham gifts by Bailey McKay, FC '08 and a SAAC Co-Vice President. Marisa Colangelo, FC `08, President the SAAC council, then spoke of the different community service projects that SAAC has worked on over the year, including a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and the relationship between Fordham student-athletes and St. Barnabas Hospital.
Colangelo then introduced Jamie Rocha, FC '10, and a Marketing Intern with St. Jude's, who presented a video on the important works of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and the lives of the children and their families touched by the work of the hospital.
Following Rocha's presentation, SAAC Co-Vice President Amen Igbinosun, CBA '10, presented Rocha with a check for $1,500 for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The money is a donation from the student-athletes who decided to forgo a gift for being honored at the Breakfast for Champions.
Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, wrapped up the brunch thanking McGorty-Poiesz for her contributions to the university as well as praising the student-athletes for their success.
Since the Rams were celebrating the fifth annual Breakfast for Champions, 26 student-athletes were recognized as four-year Breakfast attendees. They are Donato Callara (Swimming and Diving), Breean Daley (Women's Soccer), Lauren Dickerson (Rowing), Ellenoira Featherston (Women's Tennis), Thomas Finnerty (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country), Michael Finocchi (Golf), Caroline Gibbons (Rowing), Alair Holdsworth (Rowing), Justin Kopunek (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country), Charles Kromholz (Squash), Catherine Mascia (Rowing), Casey McCurdy (Cheerleading), Bailey McKay (Volleyball), Kevin Meyer (Men's Soccer), Brian Mulkeen (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country), Laure Muzzatti (Women's Soccer), Jessica Neilsen (Cheerleading), Elizabeth Palmeri (Cheerleading), Eric Reese (Baseball), Steven Sangiacomo (Squash), Ryan Serkes (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country), Trevor Seufer (Golf), Charles Sterken (Golf), Erica Taylor (Cheerleading), Allison Twarowski (Softball) and Heather Westrol (Women's Basketball). The final tally of 213 student-athletes honored is approximately 45% of the entire student-athlete population at Fordham.
Below is a list of the members of the softball program honored at the breakfast:
Sarah Campbell
Erin Fischer
Stephanie Mott
Mary Beth Puccio
Allison Storc
Allison Twarowski
Megan Waldron
Rebecca Wiggins
