March 24, 2011
Photo Gallery
New York, N.Y. -
On Wednesday night, the Fordham University men's basketball program hosted a season wrap-up reception at HB Burger's Restaurant in Times Square where head coach Tom Pecora thanked those in attendance for their support this past year, recognized the two seniors (Brenton Butler and Jacob Green) and looked ahead to next year.
After greeting the crowd, Pecora spoke about his hectic recent schedule, with lots of days spent meeting with various alumni groups as he attempts to spread the word about the Fordham basketball program.
"The people we meet are so engaging," said Pecora. "Very often time flies and we have to move on to another meeting but I don't want to leave. I want to stay and speak more with those people about their experiences at Fordham University and how it helped them get to where they are today. And it all comes back to their experience at Fordham."
Pecora then spoke about the importance of seniors to a program and how steps were taken this year to start a number of senior traditions. These included having the seniors take a group photo with the Ram statue outside the Administration Building in the fall that was used in various publications, trying to get the seniors bumped up to first class on flights and to bring the seniors to the annual season wrap-up reception so they can meet with the team's supporters.
"I was blessed to come in and take over this program and have seniors like Brenton and Jacob here," said Pecora. "To have two seniors who immediately bought in and who are solid citizens, hard workers in practice and outstanding students made my job, and that of my staff, so much easier."
"As most coaches will tell you, you can only be as good as your seniors," continued Pecora. "There was not one day in practice that these guys didn't compete and push each other and the other players on the team, with the exception of the day before the UMass game when I threw them out of practice and we won! I might be on to something here. Seriously, these two young men made this year a very positive one and they will always be close to my heart."
Pecora then introduced Green and Butler and each player had a chance to address the crowd.
Green is a senior center who is looking for a career in information technology in either New York or down in Washington, D.C. A Clinton, Maryland, native and transfer from West Virginia, Green noted how he felt the Fordham campus is synonymous with great people.
"The people at the school are one thing you don't really think about when you're getting recruited," said Green. "But when you've played your last game and you graduate you start to think what your experience was like and mine has to do with all the great people I've met, especially Coach Pecora and his staff. I appreciate so much everything they have done for me."
Butler, a fifth-year senior guard who is looking to play professionally overseas while he also gets a start in the Finance field, was called up next. He stated how fortunate he was to attend Fordham.
"The old guy is leaving in a couple of months," Butler kidded. "My five years here have been a blessing. Now I have to do my part to spread the good news I feel that Fordham brings which is success and a pride that is carried by every student and every administrator each day."
"I have to thank Coach Whittenburg for giving me the opportunity at Fordham," said Butler. "When Coach Pecora came in he told me that he wanted me to stay and be a leader for a young team. When I first met Coach Pecora and the staff I truly believed that we could do some great things. And even though things didn't turn out quite as we planned this year I believe that I was able to help start something that's will go down in history as one of the greatest eras at Fordham."
Pecora then introduced and praised his staff, assistant coaches David Duke, John Morton, Michael Kelly, director of operations Mike DePaoli, athletic trainer Dave Zippo and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kelly Shaver,. "I'm not the brightest guy in the world but I'm smart enough to know to surround yourself with people who are good at their jobs and let them do it. And that's what I have with my staff. They work hard, they're loyal and they truly care about the young men in our program."
Pecora wrapped things up by extolling the support of the Fordham fans and students, who repeatedly turned out in force to the Rose Hill Gym.
"For us to not win a game in a month and then get back to Rose Hill in January and sell out the St. Bonaventure is a tribute to the support of our fans," said Pecora. "We hadn't won a game in a month and the student section is packed. That doesn't happen everywhere. The fan base is tremendous!"
At the end, Pecora took a few questions from the crown, the first which addressed future games at the IZOD Center. Pecora responded that Fordham will play in the IZOD Center next year but the number of games hasn't been determined. He mentioned that plans are in the works to host Boston College on a Saturday at the IZOD Center next year. He also mentioned that next year's schedule will include home games in the Rose Hill Gym with Harvard and Lehigh, a game with St. Johns at Madison Square Garden and a game with Georgia Tech with the site to be determined. Pecora also stated that the Rams have signed on to play Loyola University of Chicago for the next four years, beginning with a game this year in Chicago on Thanksgiving weekend.
Pecora also addressed the Rose Hill Gym and how he uses the building when recruiting. "We have a flier we send out to recruits which features the Statue of Liberty, the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall and the Rose Hill Gym. And I tell them people are still dying to play at Carnegie Hall why can't that be the case at Rose Hill? The other thing we ask recruits all the time is what is the smallest gym in the Atlantic Coast Conference? It's Duke and they have no trouble getting young men in there. And that's because of the combination of academics and basketball. So if you combine the Atlantic 10 basketball with the kind of degree you get at Fordham University we can attract great players."
