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Bronxville's Concordia College Places Third In NCAA Award For Excellence

BRONXVILLE, N.Y -- Concordia College in Bronxville placed third overall in the nation for the first NCAA Division II Award of Excellence. 

Concordia College placed third overall in the nation for the first NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.

Concordia College placed third overall in the nation for the first NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The NCAA announced that Concordia was among the 26 finalists for the award. The Division II Award of Excellence combines the two Division II identity awards previously recognizing community engagement and game environment.

Ivan Marquez, director of athletics at Concordia and a seven year survivor, said he was personally overjoyed.

"On behalf of Jimmy Sayegh, his mother, his family, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Concordia NY Athletics, we thank Jill Wilson and the wonderful folks at the NCAA for this amazing recognition," Marquez said. "We have carried the Jimmy Game legacy for four years now and with each coming year are committed to making it increasingly worthy of maximizing awareness for cancer research. This fourth year we have been proud to welcome a terrific young man, Eli, to our program. We thank Amy Resnick and Team Impact for their inspiring work and bringing Eli to us; we plan to provide nothing but the best environment for Eli. I am absolutely certain that each and every one of us knows someone who has cancer, including oneself. It is our continued quest that on behalf of Jimmy, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Concordia NY Athletics, we challenge each and everyone to contribute to generate the amount of money required to defeat all cancer."

In November the men's basketball team participated in the fourth Annual Jimmy Sayegh Game against Southern Connecticut State. Prior to tipoff Concordia dedicated the game to Sayegh's mother. 

Sayegh was a member of the team when he died in 2010.

The night also recognized six-year-old Eli, the newest teammate to the men's basketball team. Eli was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of pediatric blood cancer. 

"As a program we are very honored by the recognition we received today from the NCAA," stated Sondey. "I am also very proud of our players, and the entire athletic department as we have truly embraced Jimmy Sayegh Night and our ongoing relationship with Eli to make both truly special."

With the recognition of a third place finish by the NCAA, Concordia won $1,000 to use in future community engagement events. 

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