Fordham to play Columbia at the 8th Annual Liberty Cup, Unprecedented Support from NYPD, FDNY, PAPD,

Online, September 16, 2009 (Newswire.com) - The Fordham University Rams will open their home schedule at Jack Coffey Field when they host Columbia University in the annual battle for the Liberty Cup, September 19, 2009. This will be the eighth time the two universities have competed for the cup with Fordham holding a 4-3 advantage in Liberty Cup games.

The Liberty Cup is awarded annually to the winner of the Fordham-Columbia game. The trophy was dedicated in 2002, a year after the Columbia-Fordham game was postponed because of the attacks of Sept. 11. The World Trade Center attacks claimed the lives of 43 Columbia alumni and 35 Fordham alumni including two former Fordham football players, Nick Brandemarti (Class of '00) and Kevin Szocik (Class of '97). "This is a very special game for us," said Fordham head coach Tom Masella, who served with the FDNY after graduating from college and before turning to a full-time coaching career. "The spirit of the Liberty Cup and what it stands for help us to realize how fortunate we are. We're excited to be involved in such a meaningful cause."

This year's event will feature unprecedented support from members of New York City's first responders community and 9/11 charities. Honor guard units from the NYPD, FDNY and PAPD will conduct a pre-game ceremony.

Members of the Finest NYPD Football Team and the Bravest FDNY Football Team will host a pre-game tailgate and participate in a youth football clinic. "It is an honor to be part of an event that honors heroes that have passed and rescue workers who survived. We live the American Dream without fear," said Pete Moog director football operations NYPD Football Team. The clinic, organized by A.I.M. Academics in Motion will bring 500 at- risk New York City high school students to Coffey Field for the day. Students will be taught football basics, then discuss life skills and the importance of staying in school. Coach Tom Masella, head coach of the Fordham Rams will make a special appearance. "Since Coach Masella has been at Fordham, he has been very supportive of A.I.M. Academics In Motion and of any program that supports youth in New York City. The student-athletes involved with A.I.M. are excited about the opportunity to visit the Fordham campus. With Coach Masella creating this opportunity for us, we will be able to give our students a meaningful experience right in their own backyard," said Jim Presbrey COO of A.I.M.

As a show of support for the Liberty Cup, service organization H.E.A.R.T. 9/11 will be arranging the attendance of New York City based 9/11 charities. Representatives from the September 11 National Memorial & Museum, Project Rebirth, VOICES, September 11 Families Association and Tribute WTC Visitor Center will be attending the game and will be recognized for their efforts during halftime. "We proudly celebrate the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and our American spirit by supporting the Liberty Cup football game between these two exceptional New York City educational institutions," said Bill Keegan president of H.E.A.R.T. 9/11. "This contest is a symbol of our strength and resiliency as a city."

Event Information/Timeline

Date: Saturday September 19, 2009

Location: Jack Coffey Field Fordham University Bronx, NY

3:30PM-5:00PM: Tailgate hosted by The NYPD Finest and the FDNY Bravest Football Teams

5:00PM- 5:45PM: A.I.M Academics in Motion Youth Football Clinic

5:45PM-6:00PM: Honor Guard ceremony-- NYPD, FDNY and PAPD

6:00PM: Kickoff

Halftime: H.E.A.R.T 9/11 Recognition of 9/11 Charities

Contact: Cindy Mercer
Trinity Sports Partners
917-952-3613
[email protected]

The NYPD Finest/ The FDNY Bravest/ NPSFL
The Finest NYPD Football Team and the Bravest FDNY Football Team are members of the NPSFL National Public Safety Football League. The NPSFL is a semi-professional football league comprised of public service agencies from around the country. The NPSFL aims to jointly promote a positive image of law enforcement and public safety members to the public by raising funds for charities through competition. The members of the league's 22 teams are all law enforcement, fire and emergency service officers. The NPSFL is incorporated in New York State and holds a 501(c)(3) status.
http://www.npsfl.com/main/NPSFL-Home.asp?p=1

A.I.M Academics in Motion
Academics In Motion (AIM) is a not-for-profit organization that has developed a youth development program that uses athletics as a conduit to greater personal and academic performance on and off the field for children in lower socio-economic neighborhoods. The framework for using sport as a vehicle for youth development include the following key elements of extra-curricular activities: participation is voluntary, structured activities contain a clear system of rules, constraints, goals and rewards, and requires concerted effort over a period of time. When young people elect freely to invest significant time and energy into a goal-directed activity such as organized sport, they acquire attitudes and habits that are instrumental for a smooth transition into adulthood.
http://www.academicsinmotion.org/AboutUs/index.cfm

H.E.A.R.T 9/11
H.E.A.R.T. 9/11 is a non-profit, non-sectarian, organization founded by Bill Keegan, a retired Port Authority Police Department Lieutenant, who served as Operations Commander W.T.C. Rescue/Recovery Mission. The organization is comprised of veteran police officers, fire fighters, construction trade union workers, surviving families of those killed on September 11, 2001 and others who share our belief that we can help ourselves by helping others. This coalition has at its core those courageous workers from the 9/11 incident who, drawing from their experiences in dealing with such a cataclysmic situation, have developed a unique overview of the coordinated and sustained effort that is needed to respond to a crisis event. Their wealth of knowledge and experience in responding to and handling disaster situations should not be allowed to dissipate. It should be used as the foundation to bring relief and assistance to any natural or man made devastation anywhere it is needed.
http://www.heart911.org/what.php