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Bronx, N.Y. (January 9, 2014) – Less than 24 hours after opening their 2014 Atlantic 10 season at Duquesne University on Wednesday night, the 2013-2014 Fordham University men's basketball team spread some cheer today as they demonstrated the Jesuit philosophy of homines pro aliis (people for others), brightening the lives of some Bronx youngsters by presenting the children with presents at the Union Community Health Center, an affiliate of the St. Barnabas Health Network, in the Bronx.
 
"Every year I stress to the guys how important it is for them to connect and spend time with the kids at the clinic," said Fordham head men's basketball coach Tom Pecora. "Many of the kids we saw today are less fortunate than ourselves and for someone to sit and talk to them can mean a great deal. I think it's important for the players to understand that this is real life. It's something that will hopefully stay with them for a long time."
 
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 ninth straight year that the Fordham basketball program has appeared at the St. Barnabas Hospital and Union Community Health 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 6^th, 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 originally schedule for last Thursday but moved to today due last week's snow storm.

"We are so excited to have the team here," said Patricia Belair, senior vice president of the hospital. "As the parent of a college student, I know how busy their lives can be. So it is so nice when the student-athletes can take time out of their day to spread some cheer."
 
John Tognino, a Fordham Board of Trustees Emeriti and Vice Board Chairman at St. Barnabas, says that reaching out to the children is "a great reflection upon the spirit at Fordham University. We are all proud to be Rams!"
 
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, January 11^th, as they host the University of Richmond in an Atlantic 10 matchup in the Rose Hill Gym at 7:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on SportsNet NY (SNY) and be part of 2014 Hall of Fame Day.