Seven Campers Experience College Football Fun during Annual Courage Bowl

The St. John Fisher University football team hosted SUNY Brockport for the annual Courage Bowl XVIII, held on Saturday, Sept. 30. After a competitive matchup, the Golden Eagles pulled away late to take the 35-18 win.

This annual football tradition benefits Camp Good Days and Special Times, an organization that has served children with cancer and their families for more than four decades and one that is close to the hearts of many Fisher students, employees, and alumni.

More than a game, the Courage Bowl is an opportunity for children served by Camp to be honorary coaches and cheerleaders. The campers met the teams and squads of each institution, attended a practice, and took part in all of the sideline action on game night, giving them a chance to participate in a real athletic experience.

Miles Holcomb and Ryan McNamara, the son of two very proud St. John Fisher University alumni, served as Fisher’s honorary coaches. Mia DeCamilla and Nataly Humphrey cheered on the Cardinals as honorary cheerleaders for Fisher.

Sixth-grader Maxwell Bouchey and Camren Wright, a 15-year-old football player for Irondequoit High School, served as honorary coaches for Brockport. Mia McNamara was selected to be the honorary cheerleader for the Golden Eagles.

During halftime, Wendy Mervis, executive director of Camp Good Days, also presented the Father Joe Lanzalaco Memorial Courage Award to Dr. Richard Constantino, a 1974 alumnus of Fisher, and Sister Francella Quinn, a 37-year Camp volunteer. Both are stalwart members of the Rochester community and longtime friends of Camp. Named for Fr. Joe Lanzalaco, a longtime director of campus ministry and ardent Fisher football fan, the Courage Award is given annually to an individual who has shown courage, strength, and determination to others.