Dagger John Day Brings Staff Together for Fun and Games

Burgers and dogs outside, cornhole bags flying inside—Dagger John Day brought nearly 500 Fordham employees to Rose Hill for food, fun, and a friendly competition on June 2.

The annual field day, named after Fordham’s founder, Archbishop John Hughes, served up an assortment of games, from croquet and KanJam on Eddies Parade to giant Jenga and an epic cornhole tournament in Rose Hill Gym—a cool change from playing outside on Jack Coffey Field last year.

A field of 25 teams competed for the cornhole championship title, many with fierce names like the Soul Crushers (Katie Anderson Kuo, campus minister for liturgy, and Joan Cavanaugh, Ph.D., senior director for spirituality and solidarity); the Killers (Freddy Signore, director of facilities, and Radek Kloucek, electrician); and the Punishers (Andie Marais, senior director of military and veteran engagement and transition, and Matt Butler, senior director of the Office of Military and Veterans’ Services).

Ultimately The Punishers came out on top, despite dubious training. “I’ve eaten corn!” said Marais. “I’m from Indiana!” said Butler.

Team Punishers, Matt Butler and Andie Marais, the winners of the cornhole tournament. Photo by Nicole Davis

The athleticism of this year’s players impressed Sports Information Director Joe DiBari. “I think some of these teams may have been practicing in the off season,” he said.

Kathy Law, office coordinator and events specialist in the office of the University Secretary, and an avid cornhole player herself, came up with the idea for the tournament last year. “It’s just as fun being a spectator as a competitor,” she said. “I love so many departments of the University getting together.”

The event has evolved over the years—a pie eating contest and a dance floor gave way to lawn sports, and the Moglia Stadium snack bar offerings have grown to include a food truck and an ice cream cart. This year’s edition introduced a few new traditions, including a group sing-along of “Sweet Caroline” and a blessing from John Cecero, S.J., vice president for mission integration and ministry, that University Secretary Dorothy Marinucci asked him to do on the spot.

“It is all about our Fordham heritage—how can you go wrong with a blessing?” said Marinucci. “We all need some joy.”