Jan. 10, 2011

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Bronx, N.Y. - The 2010-11 Fordham University men's basketball team demonstrated the Jesuit philosophy of homines pro aliis (people for others) today, brightening the lives of some Bronx youngsters by presenting the children with presents at the St. Barnabas Hospital's Pediatric Clinic in the Bronx.

The gifts presented to the children were donated by Fordham basketball fans at all men's and women's home basketball games prior to Christmas as well as by members of the Athletic Department.

This is the sixth straight year that the Fordham basketball program has appeared at the St. Barnabas Hospital and Community Center to distribute gifts to the children. The original idea was to us the day to help recognize Three Kings Day, celebrated annually on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season (the end of the 12 days of Christmas). This year Fordham's visit to St. Barnabas was moved to today due to scheduling conflicts and the expected snowstorm that was to hit the area last Friday.

Also known as The Epiphany, Three Kings Day is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. According to the Biblical story, the Three Kings - named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - presented the Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

"We are so excited to have the team here for the sixth straight year to help celebrate Three Kings Day," said Patricia Belair, senior vice president of the hospital. "When I see the players presenting the gifts to the kids I think they are almost as excited as the kids. It's so nice when the student-athletes can take time out of their busy day to spread some cheer."

"The reach out to the children is a great reflection on the spirit at Fordham University," said Fordham's chairman of the board of trustees John Tognino, who is also a vice board chairman at St. Barnabas. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I hope the team knows how grateful and proud we are of the efforts. We are all proud to be Rams!"

"I think it's very important for our guys to be exposed to this type of service," said head coach Tom Pecora. "I'm sure they feel very fortunate to be able to give back to the community. It's something that will stay with them for a long time."

"It's a real pleasure to give back to the community," said Fordham senior and team captain Brenton Butler. "This is my fifth year doing it here and every year it's great to see the faces of the kids when we give them a present. This really reinforces the idea of giving back to others."

The Rams will return to action on Wednesday night, January 12th, as they travel to Washington, D.C., to face the George Washington University Colonials in an Atlantic 10 contest at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WFUV (90.7 FM) an online at www.wfuv.org.