POUGHKEEPSIE - The Marist baseball team worked together this fall, both on and off the field.  The Red Foxes helped make a difference in Poughkeepsie by participating in community service events, and they worked to raise awareness for multiple causes.   

This year, the baseball team participated in Make a Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26th. Make a Difference Day was started 23 years ago by USA Weekend Magazine, and now more than three million people participate annually in this national day of volunteering. In Dutchess County, the day included dozens of projects organized by different groups and non-profits in the community. The project the team took part in was run by Habitat for Humanity and United Way, and around 300 volunteers participated in 40 projects in the City of Poughkeepsie, including exterior makeovers, from a new coat of paint, to small repairs. 

A few members of the team also took part in an MVP Program on campus. This event stands for Mentors in Violence Prevention, and is a six-week program utilizing a bystander approach to preventing violence. The program involved discussions among students about how both men and women can confront and prevent violence by their friends, peers, or teammates. The MVP course aids in developing leadership skills, especially for students interested in education, criminal justice, psychology and social work. Senior Zachary Passerelle (Sparta, N.J.) and sophomores Graham McIntire (Concord, N.H.) and Matt Pagano (Cranston, R.I.) took part in the program.

The team once again participated in Movember, an initiative designed to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. Members of the team grew mustaches and raised money to support the cause. This year's Movember team was led by senior Nick McQuail (Wantagh, N.Y.).

Continue to check back at GoRedFoxes.com over the coming weeks for updates from Marist baseball's fall semester activities.