The iconic Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is making a stop at the Rose Hill campus Sunday, Nov. 24. This event is free and open to the community, offering holiday cheer and free photos with Santa for kids of all ages. 

Sit beside Santa on his festive throne and capture the moment in digital and print photos. You can have your photo printed as a postcard, then add a holiday message and drop it in the “Magic Mailbox” for free delivery to your family and friends. 

The event will feature a charitable merchandise store with holiday-themed apparel designed by members of the Boys & Girls Club. All proceeds will go to the organization. 

And what’s a Coca-Cola event without a beverage? Guests can enjoy complimentary Coca-Cola products to sip on while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the season and get your free picture with Santa. Bring your friends, family, and your holiday spirit!

Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan will be at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Below, take a look at some of Knobel’s most fascinating possessions in the first installment of our What’s on Your Desk? series, where we highlight interesting objects and keepsakes displayed by professors in their offices.

‘The Mets Deserve Their Little Corner of Fordham’

Knobel has a “Mets shrine” on her bookshelf, home to bobbleheads, a replica of Shea Stadium, and more. “The Bronx is Yankees country, but I feel like the Mets deserve their little corner of Fordham,” said Knobel. “I made my peace with the Yankees, thanks to people like Michael Kay, as well as Justin Shackil and Ryan Ruocco, who were in my very first class I taught at Fordham. I’m so happy for their success.”

(Future) Taekwondo Master Knobel

Knobel is a third-degree black belt in taekwondo who proudly displays her first and second degree black belts in her office. “I’m scheduled to go up for my fourth-degree black belt in June, which is the first rank of mastery. People at my taekwondo school will have to call me Master Knobel. I will be the first woman at my school to make master, so that’s super exciting,” she said.

An Autograph from the Last Leader of the Soviet Union

Knobel cherishes her autographed photo of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union. “This was a 40th birthday present from a friend at CBS who knew that I admired Gorbachev greatly. I wrote my dissertation about Gorbachev and how he used the press as a strategic tool in governing. That’s why I started going to Russia. I actually fell in love with a Russian journalist on my first trip, and then eventually moved there,” said Knobel, who served as the Moscow bureau chief at CBS News for seven years.

Advice to an Afghan President on How Not to Get Assassinated

Pinned to a bulletin board behind her desk are press passes from her 20-year career as a journalist, including passes for the Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan and a U.S. presidential visit to Russia. Beside her own press passes are her son’s. “When I was a foreign correspondent, my son needed an accreditation card as a member of my family to enter the country,” she said. “You can see him growing up in those little cards.” 

There are also photos of Knobel with former colleagues, including Scott Pelley and Bill Owens from CBS News—and even well-known political figures. “That’s Hamid Karzai, back when he was president of Afghanistan, and our team interviewing him in 2002,” Knobel said, pointing to a group photo. “We gave him advice on how to not get assassinated.”

A Message from ‘The Most Trusted Man in America’

Knobel also has an autographed photo of revered American journalist Walter Cronkite. “It would be fascinating to talk with him today about the importance of objectivity,” she said. “In the Cronkite years, TV news didn’t tell people what to think—but what to think about. Not all news does that anymore.”

An Emmy for Covering a Hostage Crisis in Russia

Knobel earned an Emmy for her role as a producer in CBS News’s coverage of the 2002 Moscow theater siege, where nearly 1,000 people were taken hostage by terrorists. 

“As a producer, you’re aiding the correspondent, looking at the script and making suggestions, talking to the cameraman and editor to make sure they’re getting all the pictures that they need, and putting it together in a way that makes sense to a viewer who doesn’t know a lot about Russia or this hostage situation,” said Knobel. “I remember sitting in a car, two blocks away from where this was going on, and feeling so powerless to help those people inside, but trying to make sure that whatever we reported was accurate and fair.”

A Miniature Burqa for a Barbie Doll

At first glance, a blue cloth sitting atop a stack of plastic cups doesn’t seem unique. But it’s actually a burqa for Barbie dolls—a keepsake from Knobel’s reporting trip to Afghanistan. 

“It’s a reminder to me of how different our world is, yet the same. Everyone plays with dolls and dresses them in their native clothing,” said Knobel. “To me, all of my work as a teacher and a journalist has essentially been about bringing understanding to the world. It’s a representation of how journalism is the coolest job in the world.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

1. Self-Care City Scavenger Hunt

Lately, self-care has been top of mind for all of us. Try a fresh approach to personal wellness with this self-guided scavenger hunt! With fun, interactive tasks, you’ll explore essential areas of wellness—physical, emotional, and spiritual. It’s the perfect way to recharge before the holiday rush. Do it solo, or bring a few friends along!

Multiple dates in November, 1 – 5 p.m.; 1950 Lafayette Avenue, The Bronx

2. Canstruction 2024

As we look for ways to give thanks and give back this Thanksgiving season, Canstruction is the perfect place to start. The event raises awareness of food insecurity by showcasing sculptures made entirely from canned food, created by architects, engineers, and volunteers across 100 cities. Visitors can view these works of “CanArt” and contribute non-perishable items. At the exhibit’s end, all food is donated to local food banks, helping to feed those in need during the holiday season. 

Through, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; 230 Vesey Street, Manhattan 

3. A Celebration of Hip-Hop

Did you know November is Hip-Hop History Month? What better way to celebrate than at an exclusive event for the soon-to-be-open Hip Hop Museum! Join co-founder Rocky Bucano as he takes you through the genre’s journey from its birthplace in the Bronx to the worldwide stage. He’ll share stories of hip-hop’s roots and impact, and talk about the museum’s mission to honor and preserve this legacy in a vibrant new space opening in 2025.

Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; The National Arts Club, Manhattan 

4. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

It’s a New York City rite of passage—everyone’s got to experience it at least once! Whether you’re braving the crowds on 5th Avenue Thanksgiving morning or watching from the cozy comfort of your couch with a cup of coffee, don’t miss the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thursday, Nov. 28, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Starting on West 77th Street and Central Park West

5. Bronx Holiday Market

Holiday treats, one-of-a-kind gifts, and a festive atmosphere—we can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season! Be sure to check out the Bronx Holiday Market right outside our Rose Hill campus to celebrate the season and support some local artists. It’ll be a day filled with handmade treasures, seasonal flavors, and festive fun for the whole family!

Saturday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.; Fordham Plaza, The Bronx

The 11 new items include antiquities from Roman Spain—a fascinating and under-studied area of the ancient Mediterranean basin, according to the museum’s curator, Jennifer Udell. There are also new pieces of Greek and Roman sculpture from the Brooklyn Museum.

A Welcoming Space for All  

Udell said the museum has attracted some “regulars”—students who stop by often and help out around the space. Some have even helped to install the objects, getting the rare opportunity to unbox and arrange pieces of pottery and glass created by human hands thousands of years ago. 

One such student is senior Grace Monteith. When the museum reopened in 2022 after the pandemic, she helped with the reinstallation. “The unpacking was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Dr. Udell took a picture of me and it’s everywhere on my social media. It’s the coolest,” she said. 

First-Hand Encounters with Antiquities

The museum is a teaching collection that creates unique experiential learning opportunities. Professors in several academic departments bring their classes to the museum, and Udell herself teaches courses in museum studies and other subjects. Like business students who gain experience on the Gabelli School trading floors, students who take a museum studies class with Udell get to work with the objects, make decisions about how they’re presented, and curate a group exhibit at the end of the semester. 

One group of students, Udell’s interns for this semester, are at work on an interactive new development: a mobile app through Bloomberg Connects that will offer museum visitors a guided tour of the collection. They’re putting together audio and video content that will provide historical context and highlight points of interest. 

Udell says the tour will not just be for art history students. The app will have information about theatrical masks for theater majors, ancient glass objects for those interested in organic chemistry, and even something for students studying finance. “We have a cuneiform tablet that’s a receipt for a bundle of reeds. It’s not crypto, but it is ancient economies,” she said. 

New Wonders with Each Visit 

For senior Ryan Moore, visiting the museum never gets old. “Every time I come I notice something new that I’ve never seen before,” said Moore, who helped to reinstall the objects for the reopening in 2022. He pointed to a case he’d helped to arrange, noting the way a sculpture’s wings parted to create the perfect opening through which the object in the background could be seen unobstructed. 

“That’s an arrangement I happened on by chance,” he said. “It’s something I’m still proud of to this day.”  

Establishing a multifaith ministry at a Jesuit university is an important move, said Father Judge. It reflects the changing makeup of the University community.

“I think last spring’s protests on campus showed us the need for dialogue and the need to know one another better, and that’s not simply in a religious sense,” he said. “That’s also in a cultural sense and in looking at different worldviews and different issues that are important to us.” 

Father Judge comes to Fordham with years of on-campus experience: He first arrived at the Rose Hill campus in the mid-1980s as a Jesuit scholastic to study English and philosophy, and has since worked in leadership roles at a number of Jesuit secondary schools including Fordham Prep. We spoke to him about the work of Campus Ministry and why you don’t need to be religious to seek out the department’s services.

What does the director of Campus Ministry do?

The Office of Campus Ministry at Fordham exists to serve the religious and spiritual needs of our students and our faculty and staff. We have about 12 people on staff, and they range from the music director in the University Church; to the directors of religious life for Catholics, Jews, and Muslims; to people who do spiritual direction; to people who run service programs. And then we have a bunch of student interns who help them do all that. Our goal is to make a lot of things available to people so that they continue their religious observance while they’re away from home, but also we give them outlets for developing and deepening their spirituality and finding opportunities to learn through service work.

You have said you believe that Jesuit spirituality can animate everything we do at Fordham. Could you explain what you mean?

A keystone of Ignatian spirituality is…that God is to be found in all things. So I think that’s why Jesuits historically have been missionaries and historically why Ignatius was drawn to the big cities where there’s lots going on and lots of people coming together. There are opportunities for us to find God in new arrangements and new places and new ways. I think that’s at the heart of what we do as a university.

For a student at Fordham who is not religious, what does Campus Ministry offer?

For anybody, we offer a willing ear. There are always pastoral crises, whether or not you think you need a pastoral response to them. People have family members who’ll get ill…They have relationships that go sour, they have goals they’re trying to figure out. So we try always to be a willing ear, whether that’s from a religious perspective or just a listening perspective.

What programming are you most excited about this year?

I think what I’m really excited about is looking at how Jewish life and Muslim life start functioning on campus. It’s been fun finding non-Christian spaces for them to worship in and learning about those things ourselves. We just built our first sukkah on the Rose Hill campus for [the Jewish]Feast of Sukkot, so that’s been a lot of fun. The department itself is engaged in a strategic planning process to look at how this multifaith ministry changes us and how it changes … the programs we offer. I’m very grateful that Fordham has the resources and the will to make this kind of investment in our students. 

Campus Ministry Events and Service Opportunities:

For upcoming Campus Ministry events at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center, and to volunteer with community partners, visit the department website here. You can also follow Campus Ministry on Instagram and on LinkedIn for events and news.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 

1. Brooklyn Flea 

There’s nothing like a Sunday spent exploring a new borough! Head over to the Brooklyn Flea, located in the DUMBO neighborhood, directly under the Manhattan Bridge. It’s the perfect spot to get some iconic photos and check out a unique mix of vintage clothing, jewelry, art, furniture, and more from local artisans and designers.

Sunday, Oct. 6 through Dec., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; DUMBO, Brooklyn

2. Soup Dumpling Festival 

As the fall weather settles in, there’s no better way to warm up than at the Soup Dumpling Festival! Hosted by the iconic, Michelin-recommended Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, it’s every foodie’s dream. Don’t miss out on the ultimate comfort food experience! 

Sunday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sixth Ave. between W 31st and W 32nd St., Manhattan 

3. Open House New York 

Unlock all the hidden wonders of NYC! For one weekend only, Open House New York offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at over 250 of the city’s most legendary spots. The Nitehawk Prospect Park Rooftop, the NYC Municipal Archives, and the Colossal Media Paint Shop are just a few of the places that you’ll get exclusive access to!

Friday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Oct. 20; Various locations throughout New York City

4. Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

Dogs in costumes. Do we have your attention? Bring your own pup to the 33rd Annual Tompkins Square Pet Parade or grab some friends to cheer on the furry contestants. It’s a paw-fect way to get into the Halloween spirit!

Monday, Oct. 21, 1 – 3 p.m.; Tompkins Square, Manhattan 

5. Bronx Halloween Parade

A spooky spectacle awaits you at the Bronx’s 39th Annual Halloween Parade! This year’s theme is zombie apocalypse, so round up your crew and dive into the fright-filled fun!

Saturday, Oct. 26, 12 – 3:30 p.m.; Westchester Avenue and Southern Boulevard, Bronx

She brings diverse experience to the role: She has been senior corporate counsel at the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America and general counsel at the United Negro College Fund, in addition to the higher education roles she has held, most recently at Kansas State University.

Growing up in Brooklyn and in Rochester, New York, she spent lots of time with her grandmother, who taught at the Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, and university life continues to inspire her. “Being part of the institutions whose focus is preparing students to make the country and the world better,” she said, “is the greatest job ever.”

What drew you to Fordham?

Fordham’s Jesuit model of educating for justice, as well as some of the issues in higher education right now—in particular, last year’s Supreme Court decision on affirmative action and how that may impact enrollment, diversity, and scholarships. Because Fordham is in New York City, where every group in the world is represented, I think we can be a model for other institutions on how to adhere to the Supreme Court decision but also achieve diversity.

What are some higher education issues on the horizon that have a legal aspect?

Artificial intelligence is one—for instance, ensuring that a student’s application is not totally written by AI or a student taking an exam has not gotten the answers from AI. How do you use AI’s power versus having it supplant original thought? I think the biggest risk is trying to ban the technology. I don’t think you can truly ban it because it’s really in the general stream of commerce. I think you have to find a way to harness it as best you can.

Expressive activity is another one. I firmly believe in the First Amendment; the students are very passionate about issues, so how do you have that dialogue with students to share their rights with them? There’s a way to express your views that’s not deleterious to the learning environment.

Can you give a few points of pride from your career?

One example is helping to establish the Gates Millennium Scholars Program when I was with the United Negro College Fund, which works with the Gates Foundation to co-administer the program. It was a $1.6 billion effort to help 20,000 low-income students from underrepresented groups get a college education. The other is when I lobbied on Capitol Hill, also during my time at the United Negro College Fund, to help secure about $2.6 billion in mandatory funding for historically Black and minority-serving institutions in the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, passed in 2010.

Building collaborative and strategic teams—at Kansas State and other places—is something else I’m really proud of: creating space for dialogue and debate, being team-oriented, making sure the counsel’s office is accessible so we’re probing and thinking along with everyone else versus coming in like firefighters after a problem arises.

What do you like most about working as a lawyer in higher education?

Having that exposure to a diversity of important issues. You can go from contract to employment law to constitutional law to athletics. So many major legal issues that are being discussed, even before the Supreme Court, come from higher ed—Title IX, expressive activity and the First Amendment, and research and research security. And being a strategic partner with the leadership of an institution like Fordham is an incredible and rewarding experience. Like I said, for me it’s the greatest job ever!

And then, of course, there’s the honor of being first. This new role is part of a multi-faith expansion in Campus Ministry, which is also welcoming its first campus imam and director of Muslim life, Imam Ammar Abdul Rahman, this year. “I feel privileged that I can be part of this,” Vehlow said.

A native of Germany, Vehlow earned master’s degrees in divinity and Jewish civilization before immigrating to the United States, where she earned her doctorate in medieval Jewish history from New York University in 2006. She spent nine years as an associate professor of religious studies at the University of South Carolina before returning to New York to join the man who is now her husband.

Vehlow knows something about crossing faith boundaries. She grew up Protestant but converted to Judaism in 2001—“I felt very at home in Judaism when I encountered it,” she said—and was ordained in 2022. At Fordham, she looks forward to fostering interfaith dialogue, among many other things.

Why is this role at Fordham well matched with your experience?

On the one hand, because of my love for Judaism, and different ways of being Jewish, and different ways of integrating religious identities. And then there’s the chaplaincy aspect. I anticipate I’ll be with students in their joys but also in things that are difficult as they’re figuring out who they are, who they want to be. And the third reason is my love for being on a university campus and working with young people.

What kinds of activities are you planning?

I plan to observe and support what’s happening already—the regular Shabbat dinners on both campuses and the programming around the fall High Holidays. We’ll have cultural events, some excursions, and art workshops in the spring. For the new academic year, we’re starting out with a series of weekly conversations in Judaism at both campuses. All events for our Jewish community are also open to everybody; when we build a sukkah—or ceremonial hut—at Rose Hill in October to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, that’s going to be a multi-faith event.

In the future, I hope to have, together with Imam Ammar and a Christian colleague, a seminar for emerging faith leaders involving Jewish, Muslim, and Christian students who would meet regularly and build relationships.

Why is it important for young people—or anyone—to encounter people of different faiths?

Because in doing so, we learn more about ourselves and appreciate our own traditions more. After hanging out for the first time with Muslims, some of my friends deeply admire the discipline of praying five times a day. And it gets them to think about their own prayer life and what, maybe, they could take from that. But also, knowing more about other people who are not like us can be a great antidote against conflict and violence.

How can we maintain a peaceful, respectful atmosphere on campus even as passions are stirred by things like the war in Gaza or the upcoming presidential election?

The most important thing is building, strengthening, and maintaining relationships, which I think have been fraying since COVID and maybe before. I know this is going on among students, faculty, and staff. I see it in little things, like faculty talking to me about their need to talk to each other in person and have thicker relationships. There’s also the new FitzSimons Fellow in the Office of the President, Anthony Barry, and the civics initiative he’s leading.

I think when people feel that they belong and that we all have a place here, then it is perhaps more possible to talk very openly about the difficult things, the things that pain us. It means for everybody on campus to know that they’re heard.

Jewish Life Events:

Shabbat Dinners, 6 – 8 p.m.
Sept. 6, Lincoln Center campus, Sept. 13, Rose Hill campus. Sign up.

Lunch and Learn—Tshuva: Getting Ready for the New Year Enjoy a light lunch and explore your life and your relationships through a Jewish lens as the Jewish new year approaches. No prior knowledge is necessary. All are welcome. Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Lincoln Center campus; Wednesdays at noon, Rose Hill campus.

Rosh Hashanah Dinner, Oct. 2, 6 p.m., Lincoln Center campus.

Please contact Rabbi Vehlow at [email protected] with any questions. Follow her on Instagram: rabbiAtFordham. Sign up to receive the Fordham Jewish Life Newsletter.

Abdul Rahman has deep ties to the Bronx. He serves as deputy imam at Masjid Al-Haram USA, a mosque in the borough’s Bedford Park neighborhood. He’s also affiliated with the Gambian Youth Organization, which was how he came to attend the Fordham Center for Community Engaged Learning’s annual back-to-school festival on Fordham Road last year. When he learned that Fordham was creating a role for a Muslim chaplain, the University’s commitment to the Bronx played a major role in his decision to apply.

“But what really made me want to join Fordham is the fact that it’s a Jesuit institution that focuses on faith and spirituality,” he said.

“The commitment to community service and creating a diverse faith community for students was very important to me.” 

What are your hopes for your first year?

I’d like to build a community where Muslims and non-Muslims alike feel comfortable and empowered to explore different faiths and ask questions. One of my immediate goals is to answer questions and dismantle stereotypes about Muslims. 

There’s so much that needs to take place to educate people about what Islam is. Islam is not something that one person gets to define; it’s a holistic way of life that is defined in the Quran and through the Hadeeth, which is a collection of traditions containing the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad with accounts of his daily practice. While different schools of thought will give different interpretations, at the end of the day, God has given each individual an intellect to be able to deduce conclusions from those interpretations

I want to make it clear that Islam is something that is for everyone, from students who are at different levels of faith to non-Muslims who can inquire and learn more about the practice and perhaps take a lesson or two to apply to their own lives. 

What do you see as your larger role at the University?

My role is to add to whatever existing voices there are here from a Muslim perspective and to promote a relentless effort to engage students with their faith and their spirituality. One of the things that makes Fordham amazing and unique is the fact that faith and spirituality are taken really seriously. It provides an environment where students don’t feel awkward for being someone who has faith. I’m also going to provide basic chaplaincy services, including counseling and pastoral care. 

You worked for the Interfaith Center of New York before you came to Fordham. Why is interfaith dialogue so important to you?

There’s so much polarization in our world today. It’s either black or white. Either you’re Republican or Democrat, you support Israel, or you support Palestine, and there’s nothing in between. All these topics really polarize our communities. I find that, especially within the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, there’s a tie that binds and provides us with a framework within which we can work toward harmony and peaceful coexistence.

There is a mosque in the Bronx where the imam is from Senegal. Last summer, asylum seekers from Senegal were rushing there because that was where they felt at home.

The mosque did not have the capacity to feed them, so the imam reached out to us. We got a Mormon church to donate $10,000 worth of food. We couldn’t find anywhere to cook it, though, so at an event, one of my colleagues asked a Buddhist monk if they had a commercial kitchen. So we took food that we got from a Mormon church to a Buddhist temple and shared it at a mosque for Muslim migrants. That’s why a dialogue between faiths is important to me. Regardless of people’s faith, we believe that they’re the creation of God, and they have the dignity that God has given them. 

Muslim Life Events:

Beginning next week, Abdul Rahman will lead a weekly Jumu’ah prayer on both campuses from 1 – 1:30 pm. on Fridays. He will also lead a weekly Halaqa (circle) where participants will discuss topics relevant to contemporary Muslims’ lives. These will take place on Mondays at the Rose Hill campus and on Thursdays at the Lincoln Center campus. For more information, visit Muslim Life at Fordham or contact Abdul Rahman at [email protected].

Check out our list of fun NYC events happening this September!

1. The Great Elephant Migration

Get ready to experience something magical as 100 life-sized sculptures of Indian elephants head to NYC! Enjoy this public installation and global fundraising initiative that brings together indigenous artisans, contemporary artists, and cultural institutions to celebrate and protect our planet’s incredible wildlife. 

Saturday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Oct. 20; Throughout the Meatpacking District, Manhattan 

2. The Feast of San Gennaro

The Feast of San Gennaro is back, so come hungry, dive into delicious eats, soak up the vibrant culture, and prepare for a whole lot of fun! 

Thursday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 22; Little Italy, Manhattan

3. Forest Meditation Hike

With the hustle and bustle of back-to-school season, take a moment to reconnect with nature. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a guided hike, where you can relax and immerse yourself in the peaceful sights and sounds of Riverdale Park during this walking meditation.

Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.; Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane in Riverdale Park, the Bronx

4. Brooklyn Book Festival

Calling all bookworms! Check out NYC’s largest free literary event. Bringing together readers and authors from around the globe with original programming and engaging discussions, the festival is the perfect place to discover that next great read.

Sunday, Sept. 22, through Monday, Sept. 30.; Various locations throughout Brooklyn and virtual

5. NYC Yarn Crawl 

With fall just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to pick up a cozy new hobby. Dive into the world of knitting at the NYC Yarn Crawl, where you can connect with the vibrant yarn-loving community and celebrate all things crafty!

Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 29.; Various locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn 

They’re coming off a 6-5 2023 season highlighted by a thrilling last-second victory against league-rival Lehigh at the annual Homecoming game. And although they dropped the Aug. 29 season opener against Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Bowling Green State University, they’re returning eight out of 11 starters on both offense and defense—and preseason polls indicate that the rising Rams are set to challenge defending-champion Lafayette for the Patriot League title.

The Rams’ first home game will be the Homecoming matchup against Stony Brook University on Saturday, September 14. 

Here are three things to watch this season. 

An Explosive, Dynamic Offense

Junior quarterback CJ Montes—a finalist for the 2023 Walter Payton Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding offensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)—had an outstanding first season with the Rams last year after transferring from the University of New Mexico. He led the Patriot League in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

And he has racked up many preseason honors, including being named to the 2024 Walter Payton Award watch list.

Montes will be joined once again by senior running back Julius Loughridge, who was third in the Patriot League in touchdowns and fourth in rushing yards per game last year.

Veteran Presence on Defense

Last year’s team MVP, lineman Matt Jaworski, kicks off this season with multiple preseason recognitions, including being named the 2024 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Jaworski said he and fellow returning starters, including senior linebacker James Conway and grad student defensive back Nahil Perkins, will help the Rams have a balanced attack. 

“That’s been a big emphasis for us all summer—putting all pieces together with offense and defense grooving more together, rather than just having a good defensive game or a good offensive game,” Jaworski said. 

The defense also added a familiar face to its coaching staff: Ryan Greenhagen, GABELLI ’22, ’23, is now an assistant coach, working with the outside linebackers. Greenhagen, who played linebacker for the Rams, graduated as the team’s all-time leading tackler and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Award, nicknamed the “Academic Heisman.”

An Autumn Matchup Against the Defending Champs on Family Weekend

Last year’s Patriot League champion Lafayette is set to visit Rose Hill on Saturday, October 5, during Fordham’s annual Family Weekend celebration. The Leopards are heading into the season strong, ranked 17th and 18th in national polls for the FCS conference. Get your tickets now to see the Rams in action against one of the best teams in the league.