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Hofstra University Basketball Hosts Autism Awareness Day
Click here for a photo gallery.
On Saturday, November 17, the Hofstra University Pride played host to Autism Speaks' “Autism Awareness Day”. Over 3,600 fans attended the home opener, during which the Pride defeated the Manhattan College Jaspers 73-71 in overtime. The game aired live on Fox Sports NY before an estimated audience of ten million.

During the game, the Autism Speaks Ad Council PSAs were played for the crowd on the JumboTron, and an information table, staffed with volunteers, was on the concourse. Hofstra donated $5 from each ticket sold through Autism Speaks, as well as use of one of their sky-suites, in which Autism Speaks hosted major donors and special guests. All of the coaches and on-court personnel for both teams sported the blue puzzle piece pin.

Over 3,600 fans enjoyed Autism Awareness Day with the Hofstra Pride

See YouTube highlights from Autism Awareness Day at Hofstra University (~3 minutes)
At halftime, a special presentation honored the Gerstman family and Toni Lana, who both have made significant contributions to autism awareness. The Gerstman family not only created the Hofstra/Autism Speaks partnership but also made a significant donation through proceeds raised at a golf outing through their family's Lisa Beth Gerstman Family Foundation. Toni Lana, a Hofstra graduate student was also recognized. As both the President of The Special Education Graduate Association and President of Kappa Delta Pi, The International Honor Society in Education at Hofstra, Ms. Lana enlisted over 500 graduate and undergraduate student members, in a campus-wide fund-raising campaign to support the Long Island Walk Now for Autism held in October. Under her guidance their walk team raised a total of $15,000, nearly tripling the goal. Both the Gerstmans and Ms. Lana were presented with commemorative game balls by Hofstra athletic director Jack Hayes and Autism Speaks director of major gifts Barry Haber. Following the presentation, Autism Speaks major donor and Hofstra football alumnus Brad Gerstman was interviewed by Fox Sports NY.

Special thanks to the Hofstra Athletics department for their support of Autism Awareness Day, and for their many contributions.
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