Intramural Madness: Fighting Your Way to a Championship

My volleyball team after our first big win!

I’d first like to start with words from the inspirational and great athlete, Ricky Bobby: “If you ain’t first, you’re last!” Those six words have been my intramural volleyball team’s mantra for this past year. We have stuck to Ricky’s philosophy in the hopes of making an intramural championship run and winning the greatest of all trophies, a championship t-shirt. Although it sounds like you’re getting just another t-shirt, no words were ever more false.  At Fordham, an intramural championship shirt is a prized possession and a bucket list item for many.  Word around campus is that the legend, Vince Lombardi, once said he’d rather have a champs t-shirt than his name on the Super Bowl trophy.

Watch Top Gun for more volleyball inspiration

Although Lombardi may have never actually said that, intramurals and championship t-shirts are still very popular at Fordham.  Whether you were a Varsity All-State Champion in high school or always had aspirations of playing, there’s an option for you.  Intramurals are a great way for you to form a team with your group of friends and take on fellow Rams. You can show off your Steph Curry clutch 3-pointers in basketball, Odell Beckham Jr. worthy hands in flag football, your Misty May and Kerri Walsh gold medal V-Ball spikes, or your best skills in many other sports. As for me, my true passion lies on the volleyball court. Inspired at a young age by the prowess of Goose and Mav in Top Gun, I have always dreamed of one day making it to their master level. (For a full list, check out the official intramural page here.) 

The official Spike Lee team logo 

This year, Spike Lee, my volleyball team, has had a bit of a rough season. Rough season may be an understatement – we haven’t won a set yet. Back to the words of Ricky Bobby, we are last. Although, Ricky’s philosophy doesn’t take team spirit into account. In that category, we are easily first and deserving of a championship t-shirt. I believe the most important part of intramurals is to have fun with your friends, whether that means you don’t win a game or you win them all. College is a chance to form friendships that will last the test of time, and playing intramurals is a great way to make memories you’ll never forget. So remember, Top Gun high-five your way to a championship t-shirt or have fun losing.

Fordham and the Super Bowl

Times Square Super Bowl Boulevard

Times Square Super Bowl Boulevard

This is an exciting time to be a Fordham student! On a regular basis, students are able to take advantage of going to the city, but with the upcoming Super Bowl taking place this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Times Square is truly the place to be. Times Square has been transformed into Super Bowl Boulevard, with football-themed games and concerts taking place all week. This weekend, I took a trip into the city and made a quick stop in Times Square, where I caught a glimpse of what New York has in store for its visitors for the week, and I think it is pretty awesome!

Fordham has a close connection with Super Bowl history. On Sunday, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will play for a chance to be Super Bowl Champions and take home the infamous Lombardi Trophy. Vince Lombardi himself was a Fordham alumnus who graduated in 1937. Lombardi played football for the Rams from 1933-1936 and is honored on campus today as part of the “Seven Blocks of Granite.” While Lombardi did return to Fordham to coach before accepting a position as an assistant coach with the New York Giants, it wasn’t until 1959 when he headed to Green Bay to take on a 1-10-1 team that he really made a name for himself. The Packers went on to win five NFL championships in seven years, including two Super Bowls, and Lombardi became a football legend.

Check out this awesome article that includes a bit about the history of Vince Lombardi!

And this video from NFL.com tells about the history of Lombardi and even features the 2013 Fordham Rams football team along with the history of Lombardi in the Bronx!

Hail Men of Fordham Hail!!!

6-0!!!!! The Fordham Rams are now 6-0 after their Family Weekend win Saturday versus the now 4-1 Lehigh!!!  With the win, we are now #9 in the FCS rankings and #1 in the Patriot League! This is the best start in Rams history since 1988. To put that in prospective, in 1988 the Soviet Union was still in power and Microsoft just released Windows 2.1. Quite a bit has happened since then. And next week the Rams of the gridiron will try to increase it to 7-0 with a win against fellow Jesuit and Patriot Leaguer, Georgetown. This hasn’t happened since 1930. Do I really need to say anything about the history of that? Didn’t think so. But, in 1930, Vince Lombardi was still in high school. Yup, the Fordham great, member of Fordham’s Seven Blocks of Granite, future NFL Hall of Famer, and the namesake of the Super Bowl trophy wasn’t even enrolled at Fordham yet. Even Lombardi couldn’t help the Rams to a 7-0 start. So, this is a very exciting season for everyone at Fordham, to say the least!! Games are so popular that only $5 standing room tickets are available to the general public.

Ramsey cheering on the crowd

WR Sam Ajala pumping up the fans

Sold out stadium

At this past game on Saturday, I was able to go onto the field and take pictures for our newspaper, The Fordham Ram. While on the field, I could sense the excitement everywhere; from the players, students, alumni, and our president, Fr. McShane. After each touchdown, even Fr. McShane was contributing to the cheerleader’s push-up celebration. We are all extremely excited about the next games and are sure to wear our “Ram Fan” shirts, sport our “Game On Fordham” signs, and “sing our battle song ‘till we do or die!!!”

Fr. McShane counting the cheerleader's push-ups

The football team running off the field after their 52-34 win

Sideline note: there is also a Buzzfeed about this great and historical season here.