Frank McGuire Foundation Friends in The News

4 February 2008 - Giants Super Bowl Victory
Please stand for this morning's prayer.

New York, New York, February 4, 2008--Fordham Prep, a Jesuit High School on the Fordham University campus in the Bronx, describes its mission as inspiring young men to reflect, to question, to learn, to pray, to love, to serve, to lead.

Below is the morning prayer that was read over the public address system on Monday, February 4, 2008, the day after the Giants's Super Bowl win by Director of the Service Program, Paul Homer, (left) at Fordham Prep. I think Frank McGuire would agree.
 
Today is the Jesuit Feast of the Martyrs of the Mission, but I think these holy men will forgive us if instead we reflect this morning on another great religious theme: miracles in the desert, in particular the one that took place last night in Arizona.

The sports section in recent years has rivaled police blotters for stories that seem to expose the dark side of human nature. Headlines are more likely to feature words like sadism, salaries, and steroids, than they are words like challenge, character, and championship.

 But last night's victory by the Giants over the Patriots was filled with moving images and life lessons that reflect sports and humanity at their best.
  
The Giants game plan reminded us that the hard work of planning and executing can make up for what may be inferior talent.
  
Their total team effort reminded us that we are at our best when we work for and with others. And it reminded us that each of us can make a contribution, whether we're a star adored by millions or a no-name loved only by our mothers.
  
The play of the defense reminded us that we can do great things when
 we  act with enthusiasm and intensity.

The images of Jacobs and Bradshaw reminded us that sometimes we measure success in inches, and, at other times, we've got to look to burst out of our current environs to seek new horizons.

Manning to Tyree reminded us never to give up even when we're being dragged down, to always use our heads to keep our acts together, and that a Hail Mary is never out of place.

 Watching Peyton root for Eli reminded us that, unlike the Cain and Abel story, genuine glory seeks to be shared, not hoarded.

And, most importantly, this year's Super Bowl is a reminder, going as far back as the Tower of Babel story, that it is not for humans to seek  perfection; rather, we are called to do the best with what we've been given and to ask God that that be enough.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of sports in our lives, for the fun and recreation they make possible, but especially for  the values they can teach and the virtues they can instill. Amen.
 
Paul Homer
Fordham Preparatory School
East Fordham Road
 Bronx, NY 10458

Continuing to recognize Excellence in High School Coaching
The Frank McGuire Foundation will celebrate its 10th year by continuing to honor outstanding high school coaches. Four distinguished varsity coaches who are inspirational leaders in their schools and communities will receive grants of $5,000 in support of their school's athletic program.

The Frank McGuire Foundation celebrates those high school coaches who exemplify integrity, achievement and a continual quest for excellence from themselves and their athletes. The Frank McGuire Award honors the coach who perseveres and succeeds in making the job a higher calling, one that inspires young people to improve themselves in all aspects of life…a coach who lives in the memory of Frank McGuire.

Forty coaches have received this honor to date and the Foundation has provided their schools with a total of $400,000.

Congratulations to the 2007 Honoree Coaches: Coach Tom Pugh Football Holy Cross High School Coach Nancy Williams Softball/Field Hockey Shore Regional High School Coach Dan Doherty Track & Field Pearl River High School Coach Chuck Granby Basketball Math/Science Research & Technology [Magnet High School.