May 4, 2011
Photo Gallery
Bronx, N.Y. -
John Zizzo, a 1969 Fordham College graduate and captain of the 1968 club football team, and the late Rich Marrin, FCRH '67, LAW '70, a former football Ram as well as a major benefactor of the football program, were honored with the Walsh Award and the Mara Family Award, respectively, at the annual Fordham Gridiron Club Dinner held at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus on April 29th.
The Mara Family and Walsh Awards honor members of the Fordham football family for their dedication and contributions to the program. The Mara Family Award is named in honor of the family of the late Wellington Mara, a 1937 graduate of Fordham, while the Walsh Award in named in honor of William D. Walsh, Fordham College class of 1951 and namesake of the Walsh Athletic Training Center as well as the Walsh Family Library on the Rose Hill campus.
In his senior year, Zizzo helped lead the Fordham club football team to a 7-1 record and a number one national ranking from his defensive tackle position. He was a mainstay on a defense that allowed 84 points in the eight games that season. He was presented the award by Tony Colangelo, GSB '70, GBA '77, a long-time friend and teammate at Fordham.
In his acceptance speech, Zizzo spoke of the honor or receiving the award on the night that Rich Marrin was receiving the Mara Family Award. "Rich started at defensive tackle two years ahead of me," said Zizzo. "He taught me a lot about football and had a great love of Fordham football."
Zizzo went on to speak of the importance of the club teams in the late 1960's and how the 1968 team was the only Fordham team to win a national championship, with the exception of the 1994 women's varsity lightweight 4 crew.
"I can't begin to tell you how good the 1968 team was," said Zizzo. "We had a five game stretch where we allowed just 84 total rushing yards. At that time there were over 100 schools playing club football and we would average 10,000 people a game. I believe that the 1968 team is the single most important reason that varsity football returned to Fordham."
Zizzo, president of the Fordham Maroon Club, then directed his words to the seniors in attendance, welcoming them to the Gridiron Club and instilling in them the importance of not only the football program but the university in general. "The football program is important but not as important as the school," he said. "The athletic programs help in recruitment and are great for the alumni and now that you are becoming part of the alumni it is your responsibility to give back to the school."
Prior to the presentation of the Mara Family Award, a letter from Jack Clary, FCRH `54, was read to the audience. Clary, the 2006 recipient of the award, was a close friend of Rich Marrin and he commented on what an honor it was to have his name listed on an award that will also include Rich Marrin's. The correspondence also highlighted the fact that there would be no Gridiron Club without Rich Marrin, the first president of the group, and he commiserated with the Marrin family on their loss.
Susan Mara McDonnell, daughter of the late Wellington Mara, FCRH '37, then took the dais to present the award to Jim Marrin, FCRH '98, who accepted the award on behalf of his late father and his family.
As an undergraduate at Fordham in the 1960's, Marrin was a two-year starter on the football team, under Hall of Fame coach Jim Lansing, including the 1965 squad that was selected as the number one club team in the nation. It was these Fordham teams that are credited with returning football to Fordham, after the sport was dropped following the 1954 season.
Besides football, Marrin also earned four varsity letters in squash and three in tennis, under Hall of Fame coach Bob Hawthorn. He was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the football team most valuable player award is named in his honor.
A Bronx native, Marrin was vital to the formation of the Fordham Gridiron Club, a group of former players, alumni and friends that exists to support the University, student athletes and football coach and to advance the efforts and goals of the football program. He served as the club's president for over 20 years.
University president, Fr. Joseph McShane, S.J., addressed the crowd, honoring both award recipients and describing how they both embodied the values of a Jesuit education. He further spoke of his relationship with Rich Marrin, a relationship which started when McShane was ten and Marrin would come over to his house to play cards with one McShane's older brothers, who was a classmate of Marrin's at Fordham Prep. McShane further described Marrin as "perhaps one of the most elegant men I've even known."
"We have here tonight two excellent Jesuit graduates," said McShane. "Both are men who should be great inspiration to all us."
McShane then turned his attention to the seniors, thanking them for representing Fordham with character and integrity and imploring them to continue their support after graduation.
After dinner, Robert Holdman, FCRH '86, LAW '91 and the president of the Gridiron Club, addressed the seniors in attendance about their future and the importance of supporting the future Rams. He also listed the five former Rams who passed away over the past year: Francis Leary FCRH '47, Herb Seidell FCRH `50, Larry Higgins FCRH `51, Josh Arcadia GSB '07 and Marrin. The parents of Arcadia were present at the dinner and Holdman displayed a Fordham number 4 jersey (Arcadia's number) that was signed by the seniors as a gift to the Arcadia's. He also noted how members of the current team who played with Josh joined to donate the funds in order to dedicate locker number 4 in the new locker room in Josh's honor.
The Fordham Football Awards were also announced at the dinner with Isa Abdul-Quddus winning the Macken Award, Clifton Stuckey receiving the Danowski Award, Adnan Vandyck being named recipient of the Lansing Trophy, Nick Magiera earning the Bill Tierney Award and Bryson Wilson receiving the Rich Marrin, FCRH '65, LAW `68, Most Valuable Player Award.
The Macken Award was established in memory of Rams' special assistant coach Bob Macken, who passed away suddenly in June of 1992. Coach Macken was a key part of the Fordham staff for seven seasons, always handling the "little things" that are so vital to keeping a program going. He took special pride in working with the special teams, and his "Macken Pizza Party" for the top special teams plays of the year were a source of great pride for the team.
Abdul Quddus, who was named Second Team Preseason All-Patriot League by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, closed out his Fordham career leading the 2010 squad with 78 tackles, 56 of those solo, and he recorded six pass breakups and forced three fumbles. He tied for the Patriot League lead in forced fumbles/game (0.27) and was eleventh in the League in tackles/game (7.1).
Over his career, Abdul-Quddus, who was a two-year starter in the defensive backfield, had 193 total tackles, 134 solo, including 12 for loss and three sacks. He also amassed ten pass deflections and three interceptions. Abdul Quddus tied a school record with three interceptions in a game at Cornell in 2009.
Stuckey was the recipient of the 2011 Danowski Award, given annually to the senior football player who through his leadership, sacrifice, and commitment to excellence upon the field of play and within the University community exemplifies the character of Danowski, a former Fordham player and head coach.
On the year, Stuckey recorded 47 total tackles, 29 solo, including two sacks. He also broke up one pass. Head coach Tom Masella praised Stuckey for his assistance in helping the team overcome adversity this year and for his hard work in the weight room.
Vandyck, who was moved from the defensive to the offensive line during his career at Fordham, was named the 2011 recipient of the Lansing Trophy, named for Jim Lansing, a former player and coach who was a consensus All-American, in 1941. That was the same season that Fordham downed Missouri 2-0 to capture the 1942 Sugar Bowl. As a coach, Lansing won national club championships in 1965 and 1968, and became the school's first varsity coach since 1954 when the program was elevated to Division III in 1970. In five club seasons and two varsity campaigns, Lansing posted a 29-20-3 record.
Vandyck started every game at left tackle in 2010, helping the Rams rank second in both rushing offense and total offense in the Patriot League. On the national level, Fordham ranked 31st in the NCAA FCS in rushing offense and 33rd in total offense.
Nick Magiera, a 2010 team captain, was awarded the Bill Tierney Spirit Award, presented annually to the Fordham varsity player who in the estimate of his teammates, represents the spirit that Bill so unselfishly exemplified. A special Ram award was commissioned by Ernest H. Hammer, FCO '55, and created by David Hacker (a New York artist and a former formidable football player at California). The award is presented annually to the winner of the Bill Tierney Award. Tierney suffered a cardiac arrest brought on by viral myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, on October 12, 1996 while warming up for the Homecoming football game.
On the season Magiera was tied for fifth on the team with 57 total tackles, 39 solo, including one for loss. He also recorded an interception and a forced fumble.
Wilson, who proved himself valuable as both a linebacker and defensive back for the Rams, was named the team's Rich Marrin/Most Valuable Player. The award is named in honor of the late Rich Marrin, who received the Mara Family award this year.
Over the 2010 season, Wilson notched 54 total stops, 45 solo, including four for loss and he had five pass breakups.
The Rams open the 2011 season on Thursday, September 1st, as they travel to East Hartford, Conn., to face the University of Connecticut.
