More Than 150 Fans Support College Scholarships

More than 150 St. Francis College alumni, staff and friends went out to the ballgame in Coney Island Tuesday, June 22 to root for the home team Brooklyn Cyclones and support scholarships at St. Francis College.

Starting the night, St. Francis President Brendan J Dugan ’68 and his wife Barbara went down on the field to meet with the Cyclones, including Manager Wally Backman, one of the core members of the Mets 1986 World Series team.

Director of Athletics Irma Garcia threw out the first pitch for a game that ended with a 9-3 Cyclones victory.

“We had an amazing turnout and a fantastic time,” said President Dugan. “But how could you go wrong? We were in the heart of Brooklyn, celebrating the College and all our alumni. The fact that some money will go to help our future students makes it that much better.”

A long line formed around the concourse as fans lined up to receive information on the College as well as free hats, t-shirts, mugs and tote bags.

Some of the alumni who came to the game include former State Assemblyman Joe Ferris '56, Lou Pastina '79 (Executive Vice President of Operations, NYSE US Cash Market), Paul G. Henning '67 (Vice President, Cameron Associates) and John J. Frawley, Jr. '80 (Area Executive Vice President, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.)

In one of the luxury suites at MCU Park were the winners of a silent auction from the College’s Charter Award Dinner earlier this year; Robert Golden and his wife Maureen Moore. While Marge Dougherty Russo '73, one of six Dougherty brothers and sisters who graduated from St. Francis was at the game to celebrate her husband Tony's retirement from the Lynbrook school system and his new position as Principal of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep.

Other guests included "Buzzy" O'Keeffe (River Café, Water Club, Pershing Square) John Andariese (NY Knicks Color Commentator), Martin Cottingham (Grubb & Ellis, Chair of the Irish American Building Society, Coordinator of Great Irish Fair).

A portion of the money from tickets sold with a St. Francis code goes to the College to support the scholarship program.

Attached photos: (Brendan Dugan, Barbara Dugan, Wally Backman)
(Irma Garcia)

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.
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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu