Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview Ramview WINTER 17 | Seite 14

Athletics Fordham Prep Gridiron Club Makes Historic Investment In Football Program The Fordham Prep Gridiron Club, with the support of the players, parents, students, and alumni, has made a substantial donation of 77 new Schutt Vengeance VTD II helmets to the football program for the 2016 season. According to the Virginia Tech Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk evaluation system, this helmet is one of the most advanced, safest and highest performing football helmets made to date. Gridiron Club Co-Chairman Kevin Rooney: “Especially for our football alumni, the Gridiron Club provides the opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ and give the current players a better chance for success than they might have had when they played for the Prep. We’re all proud to have been part of the Prep football program as players. Thanks to the Gridiron Club, we have a chance to reconnect with and be part of the program again!” Co-Chairman Donn McNamee agrees. “Our objectives are simple: (1) bring the students, parents and alumni together to support the current football players; and (2) to strengthen the football program so that it attracts the best student-athletes to the Prep, competes for league championships on all levels, and prepares its players for college - as students, as football players, and as Men for Others.” student-athletes proves their dedication to the program, but more importantly, is consistent with the Ignatian hallmark of cura personalis –care for the entire person and attending to the needs of our student-athletes.” The Gridiron Club’s donation is another milestone in its revitalization effort and dedication to improving the Fordham Prep football program. In addition to the helmets, the Gridiron Club has donated modern weight lifting equipment, ew water stations for practices, an electronic “eye in the sky” to film practices, funds to pay for the program’s off-season weightlifting program and scholarships for returning players to attend summer clinics. In all, the Gridiron Club has invested more than $50,000 to support the Prep’s football program over the past three years. Previously used helmets will be reconditioned and made available for purchase through the Prep Shoppe, adorned with decals commemorating Fordham Prep’s 175th Anniversary and the football program’s 130th season. “I speak for all the coaches on the Fordham Prep football staff when I say we are truly grateful to Kevin Rooney, Donn McNamee and the entire Gridiron Club for their generosity and dedication to our football program, but more importantly to their dedication to the safety and welfare of our student-athletes,” says longtime Fordham Prep varsity football coach Peter Gorynski. Athletic Director Anthony Kurtin, affirms Coach Gorynski’s sentiment: “This unbelievable gesture of kindness from Kevin, Donn and the entire Gridiron Club is incredible. Their donation of 77 top-of-the-line helmets for our If you are interested in joining or learning more about the Fordham Prep Gridiron Club, please contact either Co-Chairman Donn McNamee ’87 or Co-Chairman Kevin Rooney ’88 P’17 at [email protected]. When Fordham Prep Got New Helmets in 1942… This is really good news, but the development is not without precedent. Not 100% anyhow. In 1942 (that's not a typo), a significant change was made in behalf of the Prep football team. A new coach, Ray Stoviak, had been hired (after several years of service by "Zev" Graham). Ray took a look at the age and condition of the helmets about to be distributed . . . and demanded they be replaced with modern gear. I suspect, but don’t know, that the Prep's athletic program director, Arthur V. Shea, SJ (who was also Prefect of Discipline), objected to such an expense, but reluctantly 14 | RA MVIE W gave his OK. Coach Stoviak was prepared to give up his job if new helmets were not purchased. Good news: The 1942 team might have lost to or been tied by Power Memorial, but otherwise we went undefeated, with victories over All Hallows, Iona, Brooklyn Prep, Mt. St. Michael*, and Xavier . . .without a single concussion!! —Robert B. Keane (aka "Crusher") Prep 1943 * Mount’s 235lb tackle (vs. my 165 pounds) (sic) was Artie Donovan, who won fame in the NFL.