RIVERDALE, NY – The 2016-17 Manhattan College men's and women's basketball seasons have been dedicated to the memory of Fr. George Hill, the College's longtime chaplain who passed away in September. Fr. Hill will be honored, and his family will be presented with a Manhattan jersey, during the men's basketball “Battle of the Bronx” game against rival Fordham at Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 10.
“It's only fitting to honor Fr. Hill in such a way,” Director of Athletics Marianne Reilly said. “He was a big supporter of all of our teams, especially our basketball teams, and he's deeply missed. I'm happy his family can share this special day with us and see how much he will always mean to Jasper Nation.”
Both the men's and women's teams are wearing memorial patches in honor of Fr. Hill on their home and road uniforms this season. In addition, Head Coach Steve Masiello leaves an empty chair on the bench reserved for Fr. Hill at every men's game.
Masiello said: “Fr. Hill is missed beyond words, but his presence is everlasting. He is still continuing to have an effect on not only the coaches, but also the student-athletes. His ways, his passion, and his loving effect had such a major impact on our campus and made Manhattan College a better place.”
An avid fan of the entire Manhattan athletic program, Fr. Hill provided support and spiritual guidance to every student-athlete, and he often traveled with teams to various regular season and postseason events. He was also actively involved with the Jaspers' golf team, and the squad renamed their fall tournament the “Fr. George Hill Collegiate Invitational.”
Fr. Hill came to Manhattan in 2007 and touched the lives of thousands of students, athletes and non-athletes alike, during his nine years on campus. He presided over many of the College's Catholic services, including Mass on Sundays and holy days, and ran a very popular weekly meditation program.
