\u201cIf you\u2019re like me, you\u2019ve spent time in the Yanitelli Center cheering on the men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams. Perhaps you\u2019ve looked out from the stands as the teams huddle, attempting to glean some information about what play will come next. Well, that is exactly why we are here tonight.\u201d These were the words of Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s University, as he welcomed guests to an inaugural basketball season kickoff event on October 25.<\/p>\n
Family, friends, alumni and guests gathered at The Gallery at Liberty Prime in Jersey City to mingle with student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff. Guests got inside information on the upcoming basketball season from Dr. Cornacchia; Belinda \u201cBoe\u201d Pearman, athletic director; John Dunne, men\u2019s basketball head coach; and Pat Coyle, women\u2019s basketball head coach. Peter the Peacock, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s mascot was also in attendance and eager to take pictures.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe in these teams,\u201d said Pearman when she announced the challenging schedule for both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams.<\/p>\n
The women will play perennial Big 10 standouts Penn State University and the University of Maryland. They will also represent the MAAC at the prestigious Hall of Fame tournament. In addition, they have had recent successes such as Sajanna Bethea \u201918, forward, who was selected to the MAAC Preseason All-MAAC Second Team, and the women\u2019s basketball team has been picked 11th<\/sup> in the MAAC Preseason Coaches\u2019 Poll<\/a>. Lastly, Antonia Smith \u201915<\/a>, former Peacock, returns to Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s as the women\u2019s basketball assistant.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are up for the challenge,\u201d said Coyle.<\/p>\n The men\u2019s basketball team has also upped the ante on their pre-conference play. They will face powerhouses such as University of Notre Dame and the University of Maryland in December. The team has celebrated recent accomplishments such as the naming of Quadir Welton \u201917, Trevis Wych \u201917 and Antwon Portley \u201919 to MAAC Preseason All-MAAC teams, and the men\u2019s basketball team was voted fourth in the MAAC Preseason Poll<\/a>. The team announced that David Danzig<\/a> has joined the staff as an assistant.<\/p>\n \u201cAs well as being great athletes, these are high-character guys,\u201d said Dunne.<\/p>\n In addition to athletics, the student-athletes participate\u00a0in a number of community service initiatives such as volunteering at after-school programs and participating in a Knockout Cancer fundraising event. Learn more<\/a> about what Peacocks are doing in the community.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Jesuit heritage is important to us,\u201d Pearman said, \u201cand our teams have given over 1,200 hours of their time. We believe that giving back to the community not only makes our teams stronger, but it also makes our student-athletes better leaders on and off the courts.\u201d<\/p>\n The teams are prepped to win this season with other enhancements, such as a $100,000 grant from the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program to improve tools, technology and learning environments for student-athletes. In addition, athletics has improved and expanded the \u201ccare team\u201d who assist the students in a preventative manner. They are receiving more personalized strength training, visits from doctors and nutrition education.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m impressed\u2014there\u2019s a nice turnout and there is a great positive spirit here,\u201d said Elnardo Webster, Ed.D \u201969.<\/p>\n Keep the positive spirit alive by attending one of the basketball games this season. View the women\u2019s basketball schedule<\/a>. View the men\u2019s basketball schedule<\/a>. Give to Peacock Nation<\/a>. See more pictures from the event<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t