April 20, 2012
Photo Gallery
New York, N.Y. -
On Tuesday 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 three seniors (Kervin Bristol, Alberto Estwick and Ryan Hage) and looked ahead to next year.
The night started with the introduction of the new Rebounders Club president, former Ram Kevin Moriarty. Moriarty was a member of the Fordham basketball squad from 1971-75, playing with the varsity his final three years (freshmen were not eligible to play on the varsity). After averaging 10.6 ppg with the freshman team in 1971-72, the sharp shooting guard from Rockville Centre, N.Y., appeared in 71 career games with the Rams' varsity squad, moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore and contributing both as a starter and off the bench over the next three years.
"I am excited to be appointed the new Chair of the Rebounders Club," said Moriarty. "I feel we have a great Coach and team and now all we need is support from former players, alumni and fans and we will have the perfect formula for success. I look forward to supporting the program and encouraging others to do the same. Fordham University and its basketball program was a huge part of my life and I am honored to be able to give back and encourage others to get involved."
The three seniors were then introduced to the audience with each saying a few words. Bristol, who recently signed with an agent and is looking to play professionally next year, was the first to take the microphone. "On behalf of the team, I really want to thank everyone here for their support of the program, both on and off the court. I was only here for two years but I wish it could have been more."
Estwick, who plans to travel to Puerto Rico to continue his playing career, then summed up his feelings. "I had a great four years at Fordham. The experiences I had here and the education I received were first class and something that will be with me forever."
Hage, the final senior who has already accepted a position with Citibank after graduation, was grateful for the chance to be a part of the program. "I was just a little guy coming out of upstate New York and I'm really thankful that Coach Whittenburg gave me the opportunity to be a part of this program as a walk-on and I'm really appreciative of Coach Pecora giving me a scholarship this past year. It was a great four years. I really couldn't have asked for anything more."
Pecora then took the stage and begun by thanking the seniors for their dedication to the program. "These three guys did a wonderful job in giving to the program and in setting the right example for the younger guys. They will be missed."
Pecora then thanked his staff, pointing out that assistant coach Mike Kelly has left the program to pursue a different career path, and mentioned how busy they have been on the recruiting trail so far this spring.
"It's incredible how hard my staff works," said Pecora. "My father said that you'd be successful if you work half a day, and he was talking about 12 hours. My staff routinely puts in 16 hour days. That's the effort it takes to get things turned around."
He then mentioned experience from the recruiting trail. "Fordham is the kind of school that every parent wants their son to attend. But it also is going to take a special kind of person to have the guts to come in and help us succeed and we have to find the right fit. We sell the past success and traditions as well as the future success we envision. We will continue to move forward and get the best student-athletes that are the right match for Fordham."
Pecora mentioned the slogan for the team since he's arrived and he related that to the crowd along, with the great reaction he gets when he tells people he coaches at Fordham.
"We have a slogan on the wall in the locker room, I'm In," said Pecora. "And that's how I feel about all of you. You have done a tremendous job supporting this program and that has helped spread the word. When people ask me where I coach and I say Fordham I get such a great reaction. I have never worked at another school where I have received such a positive reaction when I tell people where I coach."
Pecora finished his talk by highlighting the 2013-14 non-conference schedule. He mentioned that the Rams will open the season in the Preseason NIT, possibility in the Pittsburgh pod (pods have not yet been determined). Fordham will also play nonconference contests at Connecticut and Georgia Tech and will again take on St. John's in the Holiday Festival, this year on December 8th, at Madison Square Garden. The Rams will also have a game at New York City's newest arena, Barclays Center, when they face Princeton on December 15th.
At the end, Pecora took a few questions from the crowd, the first which addressed his thoughts on the Rose Hill Gym.
"I think it's one of the best places for college basketball in the country," said Pecora. "The atmosphere in the gym is great. A Saturday afternoon game in the Rose Hill is the ideal college basketball setting. The only thing I would say is that we need more season ticket holders."
The next question involved recruits, but due to NCAA rules Pecora said he couldn't mention anyone by name. He replied that once all the Letters of Intent were in, he would issue a release of the recruiting class. Pecora did cite the extensive travel involve in recruiting process, and how he and his staff have been busy flying around the country to recruit some of the best talent for the Rams.
The final inquiry was concerning Fordham's agreement with the YES Network this year to televise men's basketball games and whether the Rams were looking to renew that agreement for the 2012-13 season.
"We want to continue and expand on our relationship with the YES Network," said Pecora. "I think it worked out great for us this year and we got some very good coverage. But it all comes down to donations. It cost $75,000 to broadcast the four games this year and we're hoping to raise $100,000 so we can televise six to eight next year. I think of it as a Fordham infomercial as I believe one of our jobs is to be an extension of the university's marketing department. I also hope that as we improve we'll have opportunities to be seen on ESPN and the CBS Sports Network, which televised our game with Georgia Tech last year. That was due in large part to the help of Steve Scheer, a CBS Sports producer and Fordham alum."
