The schedule up at Rose Hill on the campus of Fordham University had that double-dip set for Saturday. It was Homecoming Day for football against Holy Cross in the afternoon at Jack Coffey Field. A few hours later in the Rose Hill Gym, Men’s basketball and tipoff against Marist College.
Joe DiBari, the longtime Fordham Sports Information Director may have had the hardest task of the day. He, and his staff prepared game notes, made sure the football press box and media row at courtside were ready to go.
The Fordham University Athletics Department knew it could be done. The pep band, cheerleaders, dance team, security, and the game staff were in game mode. They all worked the double-dip.
“They came to me and said, ” You want to do this we can do it,” said DiBari.” It’s not going to be easy and we do it,”
It is that rare occurrence up at Rose Hill of two major sports on the same day, and sometimes the double-dip is necessary, Homecoming for football draws the important alumni and the objective is those fans will take a few steps and head to the Rose Hill Gym,
Except, the oldest college basketball field House in the nation was not at capacity.
“Arthur Avenue.” said DiBari. Yes, in proximity are the finest Italian restaurants in New York and many chose that option.
But business as usual for DiBari and his staff. They had no time for a break after the Rams on the gridiron lost a tough one to Holy Cross 49-27. The Fordham defense allowed five fourth quarter touchdowns to the Crusaders that ruined part one of the Homecoming Day at Rose Hill.
The combined crowds were an estimated 3,500, most there for football. Holy Cross and Fordham have a football history and met for the 58th time that started in 1902.
But it wasn’t a total loss. Those who left Rose Hill listened to the basketball broadcast on WFUV 90.7 FM or streamed the game online.
“Football didn’t win today but the environment on campus, it’s a special thing here in America that we take for granted about how cool campuses are, but also how athletics is interwind,” said head basketball coach Jeff Neubauer.
With their 58-41 win, the Rams opened their season 3-0 against Division 1 opponents for the first time since 1972.
“ We have this really cool thing, homecoming happens like all these people come back to their university,’ Neubauer said. “It’s just a fun weekend.”
Chuba Obams scored 13 points and nailed nine rebounds for Fordham. Four players scored in double figures. Antwon Portley added 12 points and Jalen Cobb, 10 points, came off the bench and continued to make an impression.
It is early in the season for the Rams on the court as one more game remains on the schedule next Saturday at Rose Hill that will conclude another disappointing football season.
But this was a great way to end the double-dip up at Rose Hill, even though very few remained to see the split.
“A great weekend for Fordham,” Neubauer said. “Also happy we were able to get this done tonight.”
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