Sept. 15, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - The Fordham men's and women's basketball programs are primed to bring a new level of excitement to the Rose Hill Gym for the 2009-2010 season.

Scoring leader Jio Fontan will direct a lethal mixture of returning vets and young talent when the men tip off against Maine on Nov. 13., and a month later, the Rams clash with the powerhouse Villanova Wildcats--a Final Four team last year--under the bright lights of the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

The women's squad is ready to show that the men don't have a lock on hardwood heroics. A bumper crop of fresh talent will transform the team, which is built on the solid shooting and steady shoulders of veterans Randall Hurst and Becky Peters.

Make no mistake. Basketball is bearing down on the Rose Hill campus, and thousands of fans will come along for the ride.

Will you be there?

Now you can get in on all the jump shots, fast breaks and slam dunks of Fordham basketball by taking advantage of the most generous season ticket plan in the University's history.

Here's what you'll get as a 2009-2010 basketball season ticket holder:

• the full season of men's and women's basketball tickets;
• a 50 percent discount off the walk-up ticket prices for all 12 home games;
• a ticket to the game against Villanova at the Izod Center;
• a guaranteed seat for popular home games against Xavier, St. Joseph's and Dayton;
• a free media guide for loge season ticket holders ($10 value);
• first priority in tickets for the Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament;
• reduced-fee parking passes;
• first priority in tickets for the following basketball season.

With a season of Fordham hoops action available for only $110 (general admission; reserved seats are $135 for the season and loge seats are $165 for the season), there's no need to wait for March to begin the madness! (Individual tickets go on sale Oct. 2.)

Just take it from Athletic Director Frank McLaughlin:

"Both coaching staffs worked hard to recruit the outstanding young talent on these teams," he said. "When alumni show their strong support, it sends a message to the basketball community and to potential student athletes that Fordham is setting its sights on becoming a first-class program."

You can help make that happen.

Be there when guard Brenton Butler nails a three-pointer against Villanova at the Izod Center.

Cheer when the women's team retires the uniform number of all-time scoring and rebounding leader Anne Gregory on Dec. 5.

Scream yourself hoarse as Jio Fontan, a 2009 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection, helps the Rams climb the standings in the competitive Atlantic 10 Conference.

Do it because it's not a game.

It's basketball.

Be a Fordham Fanatic.

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to approximately 14,700 students in its four undergraduate colleges and its six graduate and professional schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in Westchester, and the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y. 09/09