Impromptu Holiday Party For Ubuntu Academy On Mt. Pleasant Before @StagsMensBball In Webster Arena

One way to spend a Friday before the holidays is with several from Ubuntu Academy and the Fairfield University Men's Basketball team at Webster Arena. Although the Stags had a loss, the opportunity to watch the team play was a tremendous hit for the young men of Bassick High School and their teacher, Mr. King.

I had to laugh when Simon found the Santa outfit packed for Syracuse and put it on to entertain everyone after the pizza party. This, of course, turned into singing carols, phone calls to several family members, lots of laughter, and total joy, before we left for the game.

I am amazed at how far these boys have come in a just few short years with academics, English, and a willingness to try to new things (last night, the barbecue chicken pizza was a hit).

Watching the Stags basketball team is always an inspiration for them and the boys talked on the way home about how lucky they are to get to see them play and model student athleticism in southern Connecticut. "It was one of my greatest nights in America," one of them said on the drive home. As Abu and Lossine discussed over the summer, every player who makes it to a college team is a role model for youth in the community - the success on and off the court is guidance for  students like those from Ubuntu Academy to do the same. A pathway towards higher education and lifelong success is viewed as attainable. The appreciation they have for Coach Johnson and his team is immeasurable.

I know the Stags have a tough stretch of games and practices over the next week, and their holiday schedule is grueling. Still, the team has magic with their cohort this year and one loss is not a setback for what they're setting out to accomplish. The fans are watching.

It is Ubuntu, and Ubuntu builds the community we all desire.

Go Stags! Eyes are on you!

Happy Holidays, From Arcadius to the Fairfield Stags

Men's Basketball Team