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Bronx, N.Y. – On a day when the NFL crowned a champion, Fordham University recognized 328 student-athletes as champions. The Rams in attendance were honored for compiling a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher at the 13th Annual Breakfast for Champions in the McGinley Center. The event was sponsored by the Fordham Athletic Department with assistance from the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and the Office of Academic Advising.
 
The 328 in attendance represented over 67% of the student-athletes at Fordham.
 
Danielle Padovano, FCRH '17, President of SAAC and a member of the Women's Basketball program, welcomed the crowd and introduced Father Jose-Luis Salazar, S.J., executive director of the University Mission and Ministry Office, for the invocation.
 
Following breakfast, Dave Roach, Director of Athletics, welcomed the crowd and acknowledged the athletic academic support staff, coaches and athletic administrators. He also read from the list of the Top Ten Signs You're a Great Teammate, getting a laugh when he read number seven, "you love practice as much as you love games."
 
After Deputy Athletic Director Charlie Elwood recognized the top team performer for each varsity program, Padovano introduced William MacBeth, author of the upcoming book, Winning with Class, a book which will feature a collection of stories and features on people who display some or all of the underlying notions of the phrase Winning with Class.  Notions such as Drive, Discipline, Determination, Work Ethic, Character, Humility, Respect, Integrity, and more will all be displayed through the unique stories of the book's features, each of whom has been interviewed exclusively for Winning with Class.  The book is aimed at athletes, coaches, parents, administrators, and anybody who is looking to create a strong attitude foundation within themselves.
 

MacBeth will donate 25% percent of the author's proceeds from Winning with Class to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation which assists pediatric facilities across the country in their fight against childhood cancer. But MacBeth couldn't wait for his book to be published to start helping the charity as he has partnered with college athletic departments to raise funds.
 
"I'm working as fast as I can to get this book published but because I have zero patience I put together this mission to get as many athletic departments and student-athletes to raise money and help the foundation," said MacBeth. "Now you guys are starting it off with a bang. I can't thank you enough."
 
 
MacBeth introduced the Smith family, whose daughter, Bridget, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2007. Since her original diagnosis, Bridget endured several failed chemotherapy cycles and two major surgeries - also many other tests and procedures that no child should have to go through, but unfortunately, must. Bridget continues with her recovery and has progressed tremendously since beginning her battle, hearing the word "remission" in April of 2012. She is not totally out of the woods as some internal physical challenges remain, but her family is hopeful she will make a 100% recovery in the coming months and years.
 
MacBeth went on to give a brief overview of winning with class and how it's not about winning and it's not about class but it's about both. "We as a society have to get it back together and start thinking about the winning principles, the class principles and how best to put them together as a way of life."
 
MacBeth used the case of Charleston Southern University baseball student-athlete Chris Singleton, whose mother was killed in the tragic Charleston shootings last June, as an example of winning with class.
 
"I saw a press conference less than 24 hours after the shooting where the two main things Chris said were 'love is stronger than hate' and 'we've already forgiven the shooter'. I don't know how he came up with those lines but I knew immediately I had to have him in my book."
 
MacBeth mentioned how Singleton met professional athletes and even the president of the United States but that Singleton noted that the coolest thing that happened to him was that he received a letter from a fifth grader who called him a hero. It was then he realized the great responsibilities that come with being called a hero.
 
"That's what I want all you guys to do," MacBeth said to the student-athletes. "You are all at the Breakfast for Champions and if you're a champion be proud, pat yourself on the back, and then take that responsibility and live your life that way."
 
Following his talk, MacBeth called up the Scott family to accept a $2,000 donation from the Fordham SAAC.
 
Steve Sholdra, FCRK '16, and Fordham's Atlantic 10 SAAC Representative, then introduced the keynote speaker, Professor Patricio I. Meneses from the department of biological sciences. Meneses spoke of his hectic life, serving as a professor at Fordham, running a research lab, serving as a coach of his favorite sport, soccer, and raising five children.
 
"Like most of you student-athletes, I have a busy life," said Meneses. "But I believe that you do your best under complete stress. You are a small subset of about 500 student-athletes from a student body of about 8,000. You are different because you push yourself on and off the fields."
 

Meneses went on to give the following advice to the student-athletes, "when you encounter a problem, don't focus on the problem, just find a solution for it! Never let anyone tell you that you can't do it, just find the solution!"
 
Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, wrapped up the brunch by congratulating the student-athletes for their exploits, both on the playing fields and in the classroom. He also noted that the brunch was being held on the day of the Super Bowl and noted Fordham's connection to the big game.
 
"Over the past fifty years, there has been one consistent winner in the Super Bowl, Fordham University," said McShane. "Each year, when they present the Super Bowl trophy it is named for one of our own, Vince Lombardi, a man who changed the NFL."
 
McShane mentioned how the student-athletes face and deal with two very different things, victory and failure and how the ability to deal with both is very important in life. "This is what Lombardi brought to the game and he learned it here at Fordham. You are his heirs and carry that ability and character with you. You are men and women who represent us well and wear the mantle of Vince Lombardi. You live your lives with character and discipline and show us how life is lived."
 
Members of the football squad closed out the brunch with a rendition of the Fordham Fight Song.
 
Included in the 328 were 38 student-athletes who were recognized as four-year Breakfast for Champions attendees.
Allie Bradian (Softball)
Victoria Camaj (Women's Soccer)
Tara Cangialosi (Women's Cross Country/Track and Field)
David Conroy (Football)
Ryan Cupolo (Men's Soccer)
Davis DeFontes (Water Polo)
Brennan Delsing (Volleyball)
Tim Donahue (Football)
Ian Edmiston (Baseball)
Tom Granot (Men's Soccer)
Katie Giuliani (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Ali Gungor (Women's Soccer)
Ashley Hawkesworth (Rowing)
Mike Hay (Water Polo)
Bridget Hennicke (Cheerleading)
Ben Johnson (Football)
Landon Kern (Water Polo)
Nick Krejci (Football)
Ivana Lahcanski (Women's Soccer)
Jessica Lajoie (Rowing)
Patrick Lenihan (Water Polo)
Anna Marshall (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Kate McDonnell (Women's Soccer)
Ryan McNally (Baseball)
Greg McNamara (Men's Soccer)
Quincy O'Connor (Men's Cross Country/Track and Field)
Brianna O'Neil (Volleyball)
Joseph Parisi (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Tony Patrignelli (Football)
Danielle Rowe (Women's Cross Country/Track and Field)
Joseph Runco (Baseball)
Joseph Serrapica (Baseball)
Steve Sholdra (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Mike Turi (Men's Cross Country/Track and Field)
Ryan Walsh (Men's Soccer)
Jessica Widmann (Women's Soccer)
Kincade Webster (Squash)
Bobby Wurtz (Water Polo)
 
Also recognized were the following that have the highest grade point average for their team:
Baseball – Matthew Kozuch
Men's Basketball – Christian Sengfelder
Women's Basketball – Danielle Padovano
Cheerleading – Melanie Taylor
Football – Jack Treanor
Golf – Hugh Lagrotteria
Rowing – Catherine Napoli
Men's Soccer – Eric Ohlendorf
Women's Soccer – Nicole Bates
Softball – Morgan Figueroa
Squash – John Lennon
Men's Swimming & Diving – Steve Sholdra
Women's Swimming & Diving – Natalie Wodniak
Men's Tennis – Pedro Alonso
Women's Tennis – Carolina Sa
Men's Cross Country/Track – Mike Turi
Women's Cross Country/Track – Brynna Harum
Volleyball – Brennan Delsing
Water Polo – Bobby Wurtz