Former Teammates Sylvester D. McClearn and Robert K. Holdman Honored at Annual Fordham Gridiron Club Dinner

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Bronx, N.Y. (September 20, 2013) - Sylvester D. McClearn, GSB '86 and GBA '88, a former member of the Fordham University Board of Trustees and a former football Ram, and the Honorable Robert K. Holdman, FCRH '86 and LAW '91, a former Fordham football player and Gridiron President Emeritus, were honored with the Walsh Award and the Mara Family Award, respectively, at the annual Fordham Gridiron Club Dinner held in O'Keefe Commons at O'Hare Hall.
 
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.
 
 
"Your support has been awesome," Koonce told the crowd. "The players, the coaches, the entire program really appreciate it."
 
Holdman, a four-year member of the Fordham football squad from 1982-85, was presented the Mara Family Award by John Mara, LAW '79, president of the New York Giants and son of the late Wellington Mara, FCRH '37.
 
"Bob Holdman has such an invaluable impact on the Fordham football program," said Mara. "His impact can be felt on so many levels, including mentoring student-athletes, and helping to them find internships. I really can't think of a better role model for the student-athletes than Bob. It's an honor to be able to present him with this award."
 
Holdman, who recently stepped down after six years as president of the Fordham Gridiron Club, spoke of his appreciation of the award and thanking Fordham for allowing him to be a part of the football program. He then spoke of the special bond that exists among members of the Fordham football family.
 
"When you play football at Fordham, it's not just what you do, it becomes who you are," said Holdman. "I can't imagine not being involved with Fordham football and being a part of that special bond. Fordham football players don't welcome each other with a handshake, they do it with a hug."
 
McClearn, also a four-year member of the Fordham football program from 1982-85 who served as a team captain as a junior and senior, was presented the Walsh Family Award. He currently serves as the Managing Director, Head of Business Development at Topeka Capital Markets.
 
"This award represents embodies what one should expect of all Fordham University alumni," said McClearn. "This is a collaboration of all the Fordham experiences and events that have shaped me as an individual. I'm deeply grateful and honored to receive the Walsh Family Award."
 
 
Head coach Joe Moorhead, FCRH '96, was called upon to say a few words, which he used to first thank everyone for their support, especially the outpouring of messages he received following the upset win over Temple last Saturday, and then to explain his vision of the program.
 
"I speak with the team about having to do the little things right in order to succeed," said Moorhead. "It's the attention to detail, the extra effort and the 'no excuses' attitude that we rely on.  But at the end of the day, we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us, especially the members of the 1960's club teams. Without them we wouldn't have a chance to do what we're doing today."
 
University president, Fr. Joseph McShane, S.J., then addressed the crowd, first acknowledging some VIPs in attendance, starting with the First Lady of Fordham football, Ann Mara, along with Deborah Hirsch, daughter of William Walsh, "a man of great generosity of spirit."
 
He then thanked Moorhead for his work in turning the football program around.
 
"You are a man of great graciousness," said McShane said to Moorhead.  "You lit the fire with everybody who loves Fordham football and are a model for our student-athletes to what it means to be a gentleman of Fordham."
 
McShane closed out the night by leading the crowd with in a rendition of the Fordham Fight Song.
 
The Rams host the Columbia University Lions on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. on Jack Coffey Field as part of Homecoming 2013 and the annual Liberty Cup game.