Fordham’s First Win over Penn is a Record Breaker

Fordham’s First Win over Penn is a Record Breaker

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 13- The sixth meeting between the Fordham Rams (6-1, 2-0) and the University of Pennsylvania Quakers (0-4, 0-1) took place at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx on October 11. The game on Saturday was the first victory of Fordham, 60-22, over the Quakers. The two teams seem to be heading in different directions. The win for Fordham was its fifth straight and 11th consecutive home win, and the loss for Penn was its eighth straight. The 60 points scored by the Rams was the most their Ivy League opponent had surrendered in a single game since its 61-0 defeat by #1 ranked Army on November 17, 1945.

The visitors reached the scoreboard first as Penn quarterback Alek Torgerson threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Ryan O’Malley at 10:01. To the credit of the Fordham defense, that intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles, the first Penn touchdown was also its last. The last 16 points scored by the Quakers were off the foot of Jimmy Gammil. The junior kicked the point after touchdown and five field goals.

Fordham scored twice on the ground in the first quarter. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native Chase Edmunds carried the ball three yards for Fordham’s first points. His 11th touchdown of the season, in only six games, has been topped only five times in Fordham history in a single (full). He rushed for 101 yards, the sixth game in which has rushed for triple figures of yards. He is the first Fordham freshman to have a season rushing yardage total above 1,000 (1,011).

Fordham head coach Joe Moorhead, in his third successful season in the Bronx, spoke very highly of the sensational freshman’s work ethic, preparation, and effort, “He’s an old soul. Everything he’s gotten, he’s earned. It’s not a surprise the success he’s had.”

Quarterback Mike Nebrich, a senior, has also been impressed by the freshman running back, “He’s been huge. It [his rushing] opens up the defense. You can lead as a freshman.”

The second Fordham first quarter touchdown came on a recovered fumble and eight-yard run by senior defenseman DeAndre Slate.

Fordham’s defensive onslaught during the remainder of the game was achieved through the air under the leadership and outstanding ability of quarterback Nebrich. The senior from Virginia spoke of how he sees his responsibility during each contest, “My job is to get us going anytime we start sputtering.”

On Saturday, he completed 36 of 47 passes for a Fordham record of 566 yards, which broke the mark of 524 yards he set in 2013. Six of the 36 completions were for touchdowns, tying a Fordham game mark.

Five different receivers caught touchdown tosses from Nebrich. Tubucky Jones Jr., like Nebrich, a University of Connecticut transfer, caught two, one of 37 yards and one of 47 yards. Jones caught 10 for 203 yards, the eighth highest total in Fordham history. Sam Ajala received eight passes for 199 yards, the ninth highest total.

The 730 yards gained by the Fordham offense was a single game school record and the highest total by an NCAA FCS team this season. According to Moorhead, this success stems from good practice habits and game preparation. The coach also praised his players as being good students and fine human beings as well as good athletes. His own college experience at Fordham has obviously imbued in him the knowledge of what a student-athlete should be.

After Fordham’s bye-week the team will travel to Lehigh for its next contest on October 25. The Rams will return to Jack Coffey Field on November 1 to host Colgate.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Changes begin for Yankees

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Changes begin for Yankees: Cashman gets three years and changes begin for Yankees By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 11- Brian Cashman obviously was not at f...

Changes begin for Yankees

Cashman gets three years and changes begin for Yankees

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 11- Brian Cashman obviously was not at fault for the New York Yankees failure of not making the postseason a second consecutive year. Instead the team announced Friday that their GM has a new three-year contract but the hitting and third base coaches have been dismissed.

Mick Kelleher and hitting coach Kevin Long were dismissed, though in the end it was the failure of an expected and high paid offense that did not produce. Cashman made some mid season adjustments to keep the Yankees competitive in a tight race for the second American League wild card, but they won fewer games, (84) than they did the previous year.

So why did the Yankees grant Cashman another three years, after $438 million of spending went to not seeing baseball being played again in the Bronx this month? Cashman has helped build the Yankees to 14 post season appearances in 16 years.

Simple: Cashman does not take the field. A combination of injuries and expectations of a roster not producing will eventually lead to failure, and the Yankees were once again an example of spending and expectations, but you have to play out the entire 162-game schedule.

As for Long and Kelleher, they became the victims because baseball is a game where changes are made when expectations and hopes do not come to fruition. And as much as there has been a call from fans to dismiss manager Joe Girardi, he did the impossible.

Under the circumstances, and trying to find a solution, Girardi often adjusted the lineup and used reinforcements that Cashman acquired. The results were the same resulting in a fourth place finish and one of the lowest scoring teams in the league.

“Nick Kelleher was not responsible,” Cashman explained to reporters late Thursday afternoon in a media conference call. And perhaps neither was Long responsible, who did his best to help a struggling lineup make adjustments.

On the dismissal of Long, Cashman said: “He tried everything in his power by his own assessment…. I know he publicly stated late in the year that he tried everything. The effort was sufficient, the results weren’t. We had higher hopes for the offense.”

Cashman added that a bone spur injury to Carlos Beltran to his right elbow was a serious blow for the entire team. And it was, as Beltran missed a significant amount of games and had surgery to remove the spur two days after the season concluded.

But Cashman, responding to a question did say, “Changing staff has to come to an expense.” So with the season about two weeks over, and with Cashman settled in again for a 17th year in his chair, the coaching changes are the beginning of what is expected to be an off season of activity.

That includes filling a void at shortstop for the retired and certain first ballot Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, and what to do with the return of Alex Rodriguez who becomes active upon completion of the World Series after sitting out a season long suspension from violating a strict baseball anti steroid policy.  

The Yankee are expected to have Rodriguez when players report to Tampa, Florida in mid February and begin the first of what is hoped to be a productive three remaining years of that lucrative 10-year $275 million contract.

On the return of his 14-time all-star who played a role with the Yankees’ 2009 championship team, Cashman said there will be “contingency plans” in the event he is not up to par. Rodriguez, will turn 40 in July and will be the center of attention with the void of Jeter,and there is concern about his mobility manning third base especially being out a year and having surgery to both of his hips.

Cashman may look at free agent options, go with someone on the roster, or use a player in the Yankees under manned minor league system. Regardless, Rodriguez is expected in the lineup at third or in the designated hitter spot.

“Third base, safe to say we have some contingencies in place with Alex,” said Cashman when asked about the health and age of Rodriguez.

There is also the acquisition of Martin Prado, acquired in mid season who can play the position and was the Yankees most potent hitter down the stretch before going on the disabled list with appendicitis.

“I don’t know what to expect because he, (Rodriguez) missed a full year though he brings dedication and competes,” said Cashman. “Any alternatives for contingency purposes remain to be seen. We have to pursue all options…  Just need to make sure I have the protection to provide alternatives to pursue third base options.”

Pitching was not the issue of failures. If there was anything about the 2014 Yankees it was how Cashman and Girardi were able to get good performances from a makeship staff that replaced four of five starters that were on the disabled list.

Cashman is hoping CC Sabathia can fully recover from a knee procedure, and that the seven-year investment in Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka will be healthy to pitch an entire season, not having to be concerned about Tanaka needing Tommy John surgery.

He did hint there is reason to upgrade in the pitching department, whether it be free agency or from within.

The process of re-signing David Robertson who in his opinion, “Graduated with honors”  and is a “bonafide closer,” is also an immediate priority. The obvious reference that his 39 saves this past season was not an easy task in filling the shoes of the all-time saves leader.
 
The GM concluded that this offseason will be no different from the last 16. “In this chair every winter has it’s challenges. I’m responsible for it all, offense, defense.”

And most of all that challenge is for the fan base.

Because no matter what Cashman does, the Yankees not playing baseball in October is unacceptable to the fans, and of course his bosses that gave him another three years.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com   Facebook.com/ Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Group Home is House of Horrors?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Group Home is House of Horrors?: Group Home is House of Horrors? Staff Removed from Group Home After Claims of Abuse (Still smiling despite a recent black eye, Zoraida has ...

Group Home is House of Horrors?

Group Home is House of Horrors?
Staff Removed from Group Home After Claims of Abuse

(Still smiling despite a recent black eye, Zoraida has now made at least 10 visits to local emergency rooms since October.--Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 9- At least 16 employees, including managers and supervisors at a South Bronx home for mentally disabled adults have been told to stay home after allegations of widespread abuse have prompted an investigation.

Family members of the "consumers" of the Union IRA group home located at 570 Union Avenue at East 150 Street, had been complaining that relatives were being assaulted and deprived of food as well as other issues at the home.

During a meeting with family members on September 20, Sheryl Minter-Brooks, the State Operations Director for Region 5, who oversees such homes across the city, revealed that seven caregivers had been removed since the spring-- but a full-fledged investigation had not begun until an anonymous letter was received a week earlier.

At least five family members received a 2-page, typed letter dated August 20, detailing systematic beatings, food deprivation and a briefly mentioned allegation of sex abuse by a female employee and named all of the workers who either took part in the abuse or looked the other way.

The still-unknown author of the letter stated they would come forward and claimed to have photographs of staff members beating, kicking and pulling the hair of the people they were hired to protect and care for.

The letter claimed that one state employee who was accused of assaulting a first-floor resident, a young man who suffered a broken eardrum, was regularly allowed to visit and wander freely at the home. Family members say that the named individual has even visited the home since the big shake-up and even after the September 20 meeting.

The whistleblower wrote, "I reported every incident and was told not to listen to what I was taught in training class, because it would label me as a snitch and that I should keep my mouth shut."

A second hand-written letter was sent to each family with more details on the particular patient and the abuse he or she suffered.

One family also alleges food deprivation and charged that staff members refused to stock the bathroom with toilet paper, responding that the clients would stop up the drains.

With little information provided by the home or the state, family members are only left to wonder about one recent death reported at the home.

Even though she did not yet have guardianship, Barbara Melendez, 44, had been complaining about her sister Zoraida's swollen legs for years, but says she was brushed off by staff members because the courts had not yet granted her guardianship.

Melendez explained that without guardianship she was in a precarious position and felt intimidated by some staff members as to not cause trouble at the home. Melendez recalled, "They had all the power and I still needed my guardianship."

The anonymous letter claimed that one employee had been kicking Zoraida in the legs, causing the severe swelling.

But after Zoraida, 47, needed 7 stitches to close a busted lip she suffered on October 19, reported by staff as an accidental fall, followed by emergency room visits in October and December, 2013, did Melendez begin to suspect abuse.

"When I began to question it they would tell me, 'Oh she's accident prone,'" Melendez recalled, "So what could I say? They knew how to cover themselves."

Zoraida would be taken to local emergency rooms six more times between January and August, for injuries including a giant bruise on her arm, a gash to her foot that needed six stitches to close and a black eye reported August 15.

Despite the delay in reporting, Melendez is grateful to the letter writer who shed light on the going-on's at the home, as Melendez explained, "The employees made it seem like it was our imagination or we were being over-protective family members."

During the meeting at the State of New York Office of Mental Retardation And Developmental Disabilities on Zerega Avenue, Brooks told the upset and angry crowd, "We are as sickened by this as everyone else is and we're working to get to the bottom of it."

Brooks continued, "We have reason to suspect that something happened. It does not mean that it did happen," adding that the 16 employees would remain sidelined at home while still collecting their regular weekly salaries, as the investigation is conducted by the little-known Office of Internal Investigative Affairs (OIIA.)

Family members hope the investigation will lead to arrests and were insistent that the 16 employees not return to the home, even if they are cleared of all allegations, fearing reprisals. However, Brooks replied, "I can't guarantee that," citing the employees civil service contract.

One family member recalled an incident involving her brother, she told the group, "We had an independent investigation that took many months and it's finally completed, but were not allowed to get copies of the reports or know the results."

Melendez concluded, "The system failed us. The supervisors, the workers, even the school failed us. I pursued several different avenues for help and there was none." Claiming that the safeguards that were supposed to protect them are flawed, Melendez adds, "If they are found guilty they should never work with the disabled again."

"It's a little too late to be sorry," Melendez said of Brooks' apologies to family members. Meanwhile, Melendez and the other family members now rest their hopes on the recently created Justice Center who handles such complaints and the investigators who are currently looking into the allegations.

On Thursday, October 2, Zoraida was discovered with bruises in the area of her pelvis and her breast and was taken to Montefiore Hospital, where the NYPD was called. Officers took a report for an "unknown assault," but hospital officials told Melendez that there was a time-lapse in reporting, so a rape-kit was not performed.

After an overnight stay at the hospital's emergency room, Zoraida was eventually taken back to the home, but for a still-unexplained reason, Melendez claims that after getting back to the home a social worker from the hospital ordered officials at the home to return Zoraida to the hospital.

Having spent the better part of the second overnight inside Montefiore's ER, Zoraida was eventually allowed to go home, but only after Melendez, who now has guardianship over Zoraida-- had demanded it."

At the submission of this article, sources say a 17th employee, the on-site nurse at the Union IRA home has now been removed. The sources maintain that the new nurse is just returning to work after being cleared of any wrongdoing in an unrelated case.  

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Columbus, Kennedy fight for playoff hopes

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Columbus, Kennedy fight for playoff hopes: Columbus, Kennedy fight for playoff hopes (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 8- With just about two weeks ...

Columbus, Kennedy fight for playoff hopes

Columbus, Kennedy fight for playoff hopes

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 8- With just about two weeks remaining in PSAL Boys Soccer, John F. Kennedy Campus hosted Christopher Columbus Campus October 7th.   

On opposite sides of the standings in the Bronx A division, Kennedy was playing for pride, needing to essentially sweep their remaining games for a playoff run.  Columbus on the other hand had hopes for improving its playoff positioning as they stood tied with Evander Childs Campus for second place.  

Kennedy played as if they needed it, scoring two early goals to grab a 2-0 lead. The opening goal came off a header near the net. Columbus however, chipped away scoring all 4 goals in the second half, including a final goal within the last minute of play, beating Kennedy 4-2.  

Kennedy now falls to 1-5-1 (4 points) with 4 games left, while Columbus stands at 5-1-2 (17 points) still tied with Evander (5-1-2, 17 points) who defeated Clinton 5-1 October 6th.  

Hoping to leapfrog into first place, both Columbus (October 15th) and Evander (October 18th) play division leader Bronx HS of Science (6-0-2, 20 points) during the final week of regular season play. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Truman’s 0 had to Go

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Truman’s 0 had to Go: Truman’s 0 had to Go HS Scores First Win (Photo by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal  BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 6- Truman High School stood as...

Truman’s 0 had to Go

Truman’s 0 had to Go

HS Scores First Win

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal 

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 6- Truman High School stood as one of only four teams left in the City Conference Division without a win entering Week 5 of boys PSAL football action. Hosting Sheepshead Bay, also without a win at 0-4, Truman used a strong first three quarters to beat Sheepshead Bay 34-14. 

Truman held a 20-6 half-time lead on the strength of two TD runs and a 20-yard TD pass that was set up by a Sheepshead fumble. Truman built its biggest lead adding another TD run on its opening drive of the third quarter to put Sheepshead down 28-6 .  

Sheepshead's biggest chance to come back ended when they were stopped short at the one yard line with only one minute remaining in the second quarter down 20-6 at the moment.

Truman now stands at 1-4 and travels to Fort Hamilton next Sunday, October 12th at 12pm. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham rams through again

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham rams through again: Fordham rams through again Offense minded Fordham Rams do it again to Lafayette By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 4- Fro...

Fordham rams through again

Fordham rams through again

Offense minded Fordham Rams do it again to Lafayette

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 4- From their first possession up at Rose Hill Friday night when Lafayette took the ball away from Fordham, something said that was not going to dictate the final outcome. After all the Fordham University Rams have that good offense that sparked them to a post season last November.

The Leopards, who dealt the Rams their first loss last season, could not capitalize and punted on fourth down. And so it went as Fordham dominated on offense and went on to a 42-18 win, improving their overall record to 5-1, and 2-0 in the Patriot League.

Fordham would once again score more than 40 points. And for coach Joe Moorhead this has become a common occurrence. He has the quarterback and an offense that likes to run the ball, and there are no flaws with their pass efficiency,

“They ruined our undefeated season last year most important thing was to get a Patriot league win,” Moorhead said. “We were struggling in our first couple of drives. We needed a pass to get a score.”

That first score set the tone when Chase Edmonds ran the ball in from 44-yards, the first of his two touchdowns and 187 yards. That erased an early 3-0 Lafayette lead off their first drive and 37-yard field goal. The Rams say they practiced a scheme all week and there is no debate because it works.

So when Edmonds the Rams; leading rusher went with the scheme, so did the entire Fordham offense that compiled 524 yards. After a 50-6 loss to Villanova in their second game Fordham has won four straight and will host Penn next Saturday afternoon.

What made the win more special was the game being viewed by a national television audience on the CBS Sports Network. With the exception of annoying and constant media timeouts, the Rams will take the exposure.

Because something special continues to happen for this football program up at Rose Hill, there will be more national televised games on the slate. And why not, because America does fall in love with an offensive team.

“We certainly have the capability,” Moorhead said about his offense and their ability to score. Fordham has scored 52, 54, 49, 45 and 42 points  in their five games.

“It starts up front on our offensive line,” said the coach.  “Its a credit to these kids. “We put a scheme together. They practice and execute it and we improve every week.”

Quarterback Mike Nebrich at the half passed for three touchdowns and 206-yards, and compiled 287 on the night.

The Rams defense also has been a factor with this success that carried over from last year and Brett Biestek led that unit with 9- tackles. That was significant because it caused the Lafayette offense to force a fumble and also lose significant yardage. And to get by Fordham losing yards is not a part of the plan.

“The whole defense had a good night,” said Edmonds, “I did a good job with the scheme.” The freshman All state American, and first team all state selection out of Central Dauphin East in “Harrisburgh Pennsylvania, rushed for 46-yards in the first quarter.

Moorhead also commented about the penalty yardage that continues to follow off the success of last year. The Rams were penalized for 124-yards and if they did not continue to pile up points, the score could have been closer.

Fordham was leveled with 15-yard penalty roughing the passer that led to a Lafayette first down late in that first quarter. The drive continued and led to the Lafayette early lead on the field goal.

But you listen to Moorhead and he is aware that at some point the penalties will catch up to you.

“We have been a highly penalized team the past few years,” he said. “There are the late hits. It got a little chippy there. Hey it’s football, it happens.They are stupid penalties... ones you can control.”

In the end though, Fordham is an offensive machine and those penalties tend to be meaningless as they seem to be the team to defeat again in the Patriot League.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso   www.newyorksportsexaminer.com

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Senior Moment for Yankees

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Senior Moment for Yankees: Senior Moment for Yankees Yanks have Aches and Pains from Aging Players  AND #A-Rod By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3- Hal Stei...

Senior Moment for Yankees

Senior Moment for Yankees

Yanks have Aches and Pains from Aging Players 

AND #A-Rod

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3- Hal Steinbrenner apologized to fans of the New York Yankees because his team did not do the job. The Yankees spent a half billion dollars on free agent acquisitions and failed to reach the postseason for a second consecutive year.

So Steinbrenner, the managing general partner of the richest franchise in sports, is sympathetic to the Yankees fan base. And he did not take a page out of the book from his late father, because George would have instantly leveled the failures on the manager or general manager or an entire coaching staff would be looking for other jobs.

But there are more issues that pertain to the Yankees as they begin the process of rebuilding for next year. And without Derek Jeter, the emphasis is now on Alex Rodriguez.

The full season suspension will be complete in a few weeks and it seems, from all accounts, that A-Rod will be the center of attention and prime candidate towards assuring that the Yankees will be involved in baseball next October. But that remains to be determined and that will all transpire in 147 days when spring training camp begins down in Tampa Florida.

And don’t expect this huge spending spree from the Yankees upper brass when free agency commences after the World Series. Maybe there will be a shopping spree for another starting pitcher, other than that if the Yankees are to improve it will be a deal or two, though there is not much to offer with contracts locked in on players who were a part of another failure in the Bronx.

So that leads to an emphasis of rebuilding, more so getting younger, because the Yankees roster is the oldest in baseball. And not like the Pirates or the Kansas City Royals, or Oakland, the Yankees don’t have a minor league system of players that are developed to make a jump to the big league level.

Yes the Pirates and Royals with four of the smallest payrolls in the game, were postseason teams as the Yankees went home early again. 

Steinbrenner has to be aware of the implications but from his comments the emphasis seems to be, we will go on with Alex Rodriguez and the reality is there is no conception as to how a 39-year old third baseman will handle the daily regime with two bad hips.

And as one baseball observer said, “Alex will have to do it without the ability of using performing enhancing drugs. I doubt he will make it out of spring training,” he said. That may be premature shooting from the lip. Because the Yankees will have to depend more on Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran, their new “core” along with Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Alex Rodriguez is owed $60 million. So Steinbrenner has no other alternative than to inform the GM Brian Cashman and the manager Joe Girardi to play him. Unless otherwise known, the reports are A-Rod is getting into playing shape, and to be determined is how a year away from the game will be more difficult to adjust, also taking his age into consideration.

“We did not do the job this year,” said Steinbrenner in a Wednesday afternoon radio interview. “We know what you expect of us and we expect the same thing of ourselves.” That was the message to Yankees fans.

And he did not put the blame on Girardi or Cashman, but that someone is responsible for the failures of 2104. The coaching staff could see some changes, but the overall consensus is the Yankees need to get younger and that is not possible when locking in contracts on aging players of 35 years or older.

A-Rod is in that category and despite his flaws, Steinbrenner is looking at his abilities to make the Yankees better. 

“He always comes into camp fit, so we know that is going to be the case,” Steinbrenner said about the return of Rodriguez. “But he is also the age he is at. I don’t have any expectations.”

The expectations of no Derek Jeter, so A-Rod becomes the center of attention for the Yankees. Hopefully more good than bad, and with Alex Rodriguez there is always the drama and another storyline.

There has to be a new leader, not talking Captain, because there is only one Derek Jeter. Perhaps it can be McCann who showed signs of finally adjusting to a new league with his resurgence of the home run in the last few weeks of a dismal season.

A second place finish at 84-78, 12-games behind the division winning Orioles and scoring 633 runs, third fewest in the American League, would not be acceptable if George Steinbrenner was still around, not with a team payroll of $200 million plus.

You can say that the Yankees were in it until the final week of the season, and four games short of that second wild card was remarkable considering how many injuries this aging team had to overcome. Credit Cashman for making some roster moves and Girardi for his leadership.

If the Yankees are to play baseball in the Bronx next October they need a leader and Jeter won’t be there as the job to fill the void at shortstop begins. The leader won’t be Alex Rodriguez, though he will get cheered if healthy and something special comes form his play on the field and at the plate.

Yankees fans want to hear who is responsible for the failures. To them it is a combination of ownership, Cashman and Girardi. In the end the owner took the responsibility.  

“I want to make sure that went went wrong was for a reason,” Steinbrenner said. And that begins with more decision making than the return of Alex Rodriguez as the busy offseason has started for the New York Yankees.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso  www.newyorksportsexaminer.com 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Where to take your Kids this weekend

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Where to take your Kids this weekend: Weekend Family Events Click here

Where to take your Kids this weekend

Weekend Family Events

Click here

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Kennedy Campus Goes Solar

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Kennedy Campus Goes Solar: Riverdale Report By Robert Press Kennedy Campus Goes Solar BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2- Mayor Bill de Blasio came to the Kennedy campus la...

Kennedy Campus Goes Solar

Riverdale Report

By Robert Press

Kennedy Campus Goes Solar

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2- Mayor Bill de Blasio came to the Kennedy campus last Tuesday to announce Plan 2050. This is a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by the year 2050 on city owned buildings. The Kennedy campus is one of nine current schools that have had solar panels (500 here) installed. Fiften more schools will bring the total to 24 schools that will have solar panels installed for 6.4 MW of solar power. This will be the equivalent of taking over 600 cars off the road every year.

More city and private buildings will have solar panels Mayor de Blasio said. He went as far to say that the entire globe will be participating in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Congressman Engel who was present had to say that the Republicans in Congress are against President Obama's energy program, but that the president made it happen through an executive order. It was a great day for the Kennedy Campus even if there was a fight in one school yard that had to be broken up by over a dozen School Safety officers, and a fire drill where many other students were disruptive before the mayor came out.

Questions were asked on topic and were answered. One percent of all city buildings have solar panels, 100 megawatts of solar power in the next 10 years by the city, and 250 from private use. A 5 million dollar grant from NYSERTA, and the Department of Buildings is in charge of this project.

On off solar questions, I asked about stagnant student performance the past 12 years, and what the mayor is doing to improve overall student performance. Since Chancellor Carmen Farina was not present Mayor de Blasio said that there will be many things to come in struggling schools, and the mayor even came back to my question later saying that many parts of the school system are not working, and have to change. Without any mention of how or what he wants to change the mayor said that he is devoted to the public school system.

There were questions about the ground hog's death, and if the mayor was going to pick it up this coming year, which the mayor answered that is up to the zoo. About possible legislation for letter grades on nail salons proposed by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. the mayor said that he has not seen the proposal. The mayor was also asked about the recent pedestrian deaths during his Vision Zero program. The mayor said that it is up to individual behavior, but with the deterrents like speed zones and cameras that he thinks peoples behavioral patterns can be changed for the better.

At the last Community Board 8 Parks Committee meeting the public got to meet the new concessionaire of the Riverdale Stables at Van Cortlandt Park, Mr. Scott Tarter and his wife who own another stable in Westchester County. Also on hand was Ms. Kathleen O'Daly the Director of concessions for the Department of Parks. Both were asked many questions by the committee members and public in attendance, who seemed to be pleased with the Tarters as the new concessionaire. I asked Ms. O'Daly about the ice skating rink at Van Cortlandt Park, having spoken to the concessionaire of the rink at the end of the past years season. I said that I was told there were major problems with the chillers, and that it would take a lot of money to either buy new chillers or even try to repair the old ones. Ms. O'Daly said that the concessionaire Ice Rink Events had decided not to return for a third season since last year was a much poorer attendance and other problems arose. She said that a new Request For Proposal would be sent out by the Parks Department, but it may be a season with no ice skating in Van Cortlandt Park.

Other Community Board 8 committee meetings of note are – Thursday October 2^nd Land Use 7:30 p.m. at the Riverdale Y. there is no discussion of the Montefiore or Self-help buildings on the agenda. Monday October 6^th – Public Safety 7 p.m at the 50^th Pct. Tuesday October 7 – Economic Development 7:30 at the board office 5676 Riverdale Avenue. Thursday October 9^th – 4 p.m the Self-help working group of the community board. The full board meeting will be held on Tuesday October 14^th at a place to be determined.

Also the KRVC Greenway Gala will be held on Sunday October 19th at the Hebrew Home of Riverdale. The gathering begins at 5 p.m with dinner and the presentations starting at 6:30 p.m. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com archive on the lower left to KRVC or go to krvcdc.org/gala for more.

If you have any comments about this column, would like to have an event listed here or covered on my blog, or have any news that you want to share, you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Face (Book) of Evil

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Face (Book) of Evil: Face (Book) of Evil Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend Threatened to Blow Up Apartment By David Greene and Andre Rivera BRONX...

Face (Book) of Evil

Face (Book) of Evil

Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend Threatened to Blow Up Apartment

By David Greene and Andre Rivera

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1- Despite an order of protection, a young woman is dead and her former lover now faces charges in her death.

Patrolmen from the 43rd Precinct were called to a 6th floor apartment at the Bronx River Houses, located at 1609 East 174 Street in the Soundview section, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 25.

Officials say Jean Paul Rodriguez, 26, was armed with a pair of knives as he barricaded himself in his apartment and held police at bay for nearly two hours after threatening to blow up the apartment.

One source stated that once Con Edison turned off the gas to the apartment, officers from the Emergency Services Unit stormed the apartment when they discovered the lifeless body of Tynasha Robinson on the eve of her 22nd birthday.

Robinson's relatives confronted Rodriguez as police took him out of the building's back entrance, police struggled to keep the angry mob away from Rodriguez as he was placed in a waiting ambulance.

Rodriguez was treated for multiple cuts to his fingers that police say occurred during the attack on Robinson, who was stabbed repeatedly in the neck and torso. Rodriguez was awaiting to be arraigned on murder and weapons possession charges.

Police say Rodriguez had a prior arrests for shooting an NYPD officer with a BB gun in December, 2007 and for assaulting Robinson in early 2013.

Rodriguez was arrested again on June 25, after smashing Robinson's cell phone and tossing her out of his apartment. Robinson was then issued an order of protection.

Robinson lived with her family in an apartment one floor below Rodriguez where the pair grew up in the same building and had been friends for years before they started dating about three years ago.

In an unrelated case, police discovered Cynthia Migliozzi, 57, "unconscious and unresponsive" at her Mace Avenue home in the Allerton section on Sunday, September 21.

Migliozzi suffered multiple puncture wounds to her body and died a short time later at Jacobi Hospital.

The following day police charged Martin Migliozzi, 56, believed to be the victims husband, with murder, manslaughter and possession of a weapon.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Girardi analyzes Yankees failed season

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Girardi analyzes Yankees failed season: Girardi analyzes Yankees failed season Looks forward to next year And what about A-Rod? (Photo by Gary Quintal ) By Howard Gol...

Girardi analyzes Yankees failed season

Girardi analyzes Yankees failed season

Looks forward to next year

And what about A-Rod?

(Photo by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 30- Joe Girardi returned to Yankee Stadium on Monday afternoon, not even a full day after the 2014 regular season came to a close, for a meeting with the media. His assessment of the 2014 season, still very fresh in his mind, was much easier to make than a prognostication of the upcoming 2015 season.

The Yankee skipper first reflected on the just completed season, “We’re 20 hours removed from what we did. The  

biggest disappointment I think, it’s not making the playoffs. That’s why we come to work. That’s our focus. We didn’t get to where we wanted, so I’m disappointed. What we did this year was not good enough. We have to get better.”

Despite his repeated statements of regret, Girardi, as he usually does, spoke very positively. He listed many reasons for his high expectations for the improvement of the Yankees in 2015, “We have a lot of good pieces. We expect to be younger and healthier. I’m not sure the task is as big as some people think.”

He acknowledged that the Yankees did not score a sufficient number of runs to finish higher in the standings, but expressed his faith in the offense, “I still believe there’s enough talent in that room [Yankee clubhouse] to score runs.”

Girardi was pleased with the pitching, both starting and the bullpen, but said, “You can never have enough pitching.” He specifically mentioned only a few on the staff.

“[Michael] Pineda was probably better than we expected. I look forward to 2015 with him.”

The Yankee manager expects rookie Masahiro Tanaka to be fully recovered from his injury and much improved after one season in MLB and one year in the United States, “We expect him to make 32 starts. I think he learned a lot. He’ll be more comfortable next year in Spring Training.”

Girardi stated that most people did not believe that Mariano Rivera could be replaced as the club’s closer, but “David Robertson did a tremendous job replacing Mo.”

Girardi expressed satisfaction with the outfield of Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, but did not mention veteran Ichiro Suzuki, who played more than 140 games in 2014.

He currently sees the infield as Mark Teixeira at first, Martin Prado (“who gives us versatility”) at second, Brendan Ryan or someone else at shortstop and Alex Rodriguez at third.

The largest amount of questions directed to Girardi concerned Rodriguez, whose suspension does not end until after the World Series is concluded. The manager admitted it’s too soon to know of Rodriguez’s playing condition, “We have to see where he’s physically at. I don’t think we’ll know until we get there [Spring Training.]”

Without the presence of Derek Jeter on the team next year it is very unlikely that Rodriguez will not be the center of attention, yet Girardi claimed, “Alex won’t be a distraction.’

The manager’s responses on Monday are hardly the final answers for 2015. He admitted, “We are going to sit down and evaluate everything.” Anything said by the manager on Monday can change after the franchise’s hierarchy meets and makes decisions. It is quite unlikely that personnel changes will not be made after two straight seasons the Yankees have been out of the playoffs despite the positive expectations expressed by Girardi on Monday.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham Brings Home Ram-Crusader Cup with Win over...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham Brings Home Ram-Crusader Cup with Win over...: Fordham Brings Home Ram-Crusader Cup with Win over Holy Cross Rams win first Patriot League game of season BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 29- ...

Fordham Brings Home Ram-Crusader Cup with Win over Holy Cross

Fordham Brings Home Ram-Crusader Cup with Win over Holy Cross

Rams win first Patriot League game of season

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 29- Holy Cross fans are probably wishing that Fordham senior tight end Dan Light chose to become a Crusader four years ago rather than a Ram as today Light made it a perfect 6-0 all-time in games he’s played at Fitton Field as Fordham upended Holy Cross, 45-16, in a Patriot League matchup and the annual Ram-Crusader Cup game.

With the win, #16/19 Fordham improves to 4-1 overall on the year, 1-0 in the conference, while Holy Cross falls to 2-3 overall, 0-1 in the conference.

Light, who is from nearby Sutton, Mass., is a perfect 2-0 as a Ram on Fitton Field (Fordham defeated Holy Cross 36-32 on the field during his sophomore year in 2012), and he was a perfect 4-0 at St. John’s Prep, who plays is annual Thanksgiving Day game against St. Peter-Marian in Worcester.

Light (four catches, 42 yards and one touchdown) was a part of a potent Fordham offense that gained 493 yards on the day while scoring six touchdowns. Senior quarterback Mike Nebrich had a hand in five of the six scores, completing 32 of 42 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns while also running for a score. His four passing touchdowns bring his career total to 48, moving him ahead of Kevin Eakin (2000-03) and into second place on the Fordham career list (John Skelton has the record with 69).

His top receiver was Tebucky Jones, Jr., who caught nine passes for 76 yards while Brian Wetzel hauled in eight for a game-high 114 yards and two touchdowns and Marcus Jones made six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, freshman running back Chase Edmonds carried 26 times for 142 yards and one touchdown, his fourth 100-yard rushing game over the first five games of the year.

Entering the game, head coach Joe Moorhead told the Rams that they needed to convert on third down, score seven points when they make it into the red zone and hold Holy Cross on third downs to get the Fordham offense back on the field. The Rams excelled in all three phases, converting nine of 19 third down (and all four of their fourth down) while scoring six touchdowns on eight red zone trips and holding the Crusaders to converting just two of ten third down tries. Fordham also dominated in time of possession, controlling the ball for 42:10 to just 17:50 for Holy Cross.

Not to be overshadowed, the Fordham defense recorded six tackles for loss, four sacks and intercepted two passes.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams drove to the Holy Cross one, converting on two third down plays, but couldn’t punch it in and settled for an 18-yard Michael Marando field goal and a 3-0 lead midway through the second.

After the defense held Holy Cross to a three-and-out, Fordham took over on the Holy Cross 30 following a 17-yard punt. The Rams made quick work of the 30 yards with Nebrich finding Wetzel in the end zone with a nine-yard touchdown toss for a 10-0 Fordham lead with 5:15 left in the half. The big play of the drive was an 18-yard completion from Nebrich to Marcus Jones on fourth-and-seven from the Holy Cross 27.

Another three-and-out for the Holy Cross offense resulted in the Rams getting the ball back on their own 35 and Nebrich went to work, sandwiching two completions around a ten-yard Edmonds run to put the ball on the Holy Cross 20.  Edmonds covered the final 20 yards with three carries, the last an eight-yard scoring rush to make it a 17-0 game with 52 seconds remaining before the break.

Holy Cross managed to drive to the Fordham 20 in 48 seconds but the drive stalled there and Zane Wasp kicked a 37-yard field goal that just cleared the cross bar.

On the second play of the second half, Ian Williams almost picked off a Peter Pujals pass but Holy Cross receiver Jake Wieczorek managed to wrestle the ball from Williams and score on a 74-yard pass play as Holy Cross made it an eight-point game, 17-9, when the Rams blocked the Crusaders extra point attempt.

The Fordham offense quickly got the touchdown back, driving 75 yards in 10 plays with Nebrich finding Light in the end zone with an eight-yard scoring strike to extend the Fordham lead to 24-9 with 9:43 left in the third.

The Fordham defense forced another three-and-out and the offense took over on the Fordham 41. The Rams were stopped on third down and Joseph Pavlik came on to punt. He fumbled the snap but was able to recover and race around the left side, picking up 15 yards and a first down. Edmonds carried it down to the Holy Cross four on the next play and, two plays later, Nebrich took it in from the four to give the Rams a 31-9 lead with 5:07 remaining in the third.

Early in the fourth, Jake Dixon picked off a Pujals pass at the Fordham 40 and returned it to the Holy Cross 29. Six plays later, Nebrich and Marcus Jones teamed up for a five-yard scoring strike to give Fordham a commanding 38-9 lead 3:24 into the fourth.

The Crusaders made it a 38-16 game when Pujals connected with Tyler Artim on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 10:29 remaining but the Rams stopped Pujals on fourth-and-five from the Holy Cross 47 on the Crusaders’ next possession.

Fordham took advantage of the good field position, covering the 41 yards in seven plays, capping the drive with a 25-yard pass from Nebrich to Wetzel with 2:35 on the clock.

Victor DiFusco led the Fordham defense with seven tackles, six solo, including one sack, while DeAndre Slate made four solo stops, including two sacks, and Dixon had three solo tackles to go with his interception.

The Rams return to action on Friday night, October 3, as they host the Lafayette College Leopards in a Patriot League game on Jack Coffey Field at 6:30 PM in a game that will be televised nationally by the CBS Sports Network.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Spellman honors former coach

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Spellman honors former coach: Spellman honors former coach, drops ball against Nazareth (Photos by Gary Quintal) Cardinal Spellman honored former football coach Joe DeS...

Spellman honors former coach

Spellman honors former coach, drops ball against Nazareth

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Cardinal Spellman honored former football coach Joe DeSimone on September 27th with a half-time ceremony at this year's Homecoming against Nazareth. 

Coach Desimone was honored for his eight years of leading Cardinal Spellman football from 2001 to 2008, including 2 CHSFL Championships in 2006 and 2008. DeSimone was accompanied by friends and family as well as many of the former football alumni he had coached. 

As for the game itself, Spellman scored 10 points in the final 2:48 of the first half, including a 44-yard field goal and a 51- yard touchdown run to put Nazareth in the hole with a 27-6 halftime lead.  

Spellman would need every point as Nazareth scored 20 unanswered points in the second half falling just short 27-26. Spellman now stands a 1-2 as they next host Kennedy Catholic on Saturday, October 4th at 1:30.