Football Holds 23rd Annual Fordham Football Gridiron Club Golf Outing

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Eastchester, N.Y. – With the spring semester in the books, the Fordham University football program held its 23rd Annual Fordham Football Gridiron Club Golf Outing on Monday, May 16, at the Leewood Golf Club.
 
Following a day on the links, the group enjoyed dinner in the clubhouse and heard from former Gridiron Club President, Frank Sacco, FCRH '87, and new Gridiron Club President, Jack Pieracini, FCRH '98, along with Director of Athletic Dave Roach and head coach Andrew Breiner.
 
Former Gridiron Club president Judge Robert Holdman, FCRH '86, LAW '91, welcomed everyone and introduce Sacco, who thanked everyone for their support during his tenure as Gridiron Club president. Before he turned the reins over to the new president, Sacco was presented with some gifts from Holdman and Breiner, which included a framed jersey (the number 76 worn by Sacco in his playing days) along with a Fordham football helmet.
 

Sacco introduced Pieracini as the new Gridiron Club president and Pieracini proceeded to highlight his three major goals for the upcoming season. "One, I want to continue to do what we've been doing to support the program; two, I want to bridge the gap to the young alumni and three, I want everyone to support the program the best way you can. As the late Rich Marrin once told me, you have to support the program and have fun doing it."
 
Following dinner, Roach took the podium and highlighted two keys dates, November 12 when the Rams play Holy Cross at Yankee Stadium and April 26, 2017, the day of the inaugural Hall of Fame Gala to be held at 583 Park Avenue in Manhattan. He also spoke about the facilities issues that affect the football program.
 
"With facilities, when you think you're okay you're already way behind," said Roach. "We have the plans to convert the old weight room in the Lombardi Center into new offices and meeting space for the football program, along with plans for a new varsity strength and conditioning facility, but we need your help to raise the funds."
 
Roach then introduced Breiner as a coach who has the "X-factor" that Roach looks for when hiring a head coach.
 
Breiner began his address by highlighting the success of the 2015 squad, a team that had 18 new starters but still managed to beat Army in the season opener, go 9-3 on the year, extend its streak of being nationally ranked to 42 week and earn its third straight berth in the NCAA FCS Championships.
 
"What I learned last year was that culture wins football games," said Breiner. "The culture that was created was a culture of confidence where you knew you were prepared the right way. When we walked on the field at Army to open the season, I'll be honest with you, most of the coaches were nervous. But we could see that the young players were ready because of their culture of confidence."
 

Breiner gave former head coach Joe Moorhead all the credit for instilling this culture with the Rams and mentioned that he realizes that he has big shoes to fill.
 
"Coach Moorhead is a master of slogans," noted Breiner. "So I knew I needed to find one and spent most of the time before spring practice coming up with it. And what I came up with was SPEED: Superior Preparation plus Effort and Execution will result in Domination. That has been our mindset all spring. "
 
Breiner explained that the team's primary goals for 2016 haven't changed much over the past four years. The first goal is to win the Patriot League and the second to win a national championship.
 
"All spring I implored the team that if what you're doing will help us win a Patriot League championship, then continue to do it with all you've got," said Briner. "But if it's not, then find something else to do that will help us win a championship."
 
Breiner concluded with three things that the Rams will focus on this year: 1) Pack Jack Coffey Field for every home game; 2) Fill up Yankee Stadium on November 12 and 3) Raise the monies needed for the football office project.
 
The Rams open the 2016 season on Saturday, September 3, as they travel to Annapolis to take on Navy at 12:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network.
  
Winners of the golf contests:
 
First Place (Foursome) – 59
Stephen Hodge
Andrew Erenberg
Nick Krejci
Rustom Khouri
 
Closest to Pin
Hole 11 – Rory Scully (3' 10")
 
Longest Drive
Hole 14 - Marc DeSisto