Latest news with #Fordham
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Spike Lee on Denzel's brilliance – ‘He's Jordan' – and the sports movie he's dying to make
In the most pivotal scene of 'He Got Game,' the 1998 Spike Lee film starring Denzel Washington and future NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen, the script called for basketball prodigy Jesus Shuttlesworth to defeat his father, Jake, 11-0, during a one-on-one showdown. Washington, playing the role of Jake but drawing on his own background as a baller, wasn't going to let that happen. 'Denzel said f--- that,' Lee recalled this week with a laugh. 'Forget about it. A zero doughnut?' 'I got an ego like the next man,' Washington said this week in an interview. 'He wasn't beating me like that, no.' Knowing that he was matched up with an acting novice in Allen, Washington, who played junior varsity basketball at Fordham and grew up playing with the likes of future NBA players Gus and Ray Williams in Mount Vernon, New York, set up his movie son by telling Allen that he struggled going left. Then when Lee called action, Washington drove left on Allen and scored. And he scored again. And again. 'I got in some lucky shots,' Washington said. A confused Allen turned to Lee and did what any basketball player masquerading as a movie star would do in that situation. 'Instead of saying, 'Cut,' he's like this,' Lee said, forming his hands like a letter 'T,' ''Timeout! Timeout! Timeout! I'm supposed to win 11-zip.'' Lee shrugged his shoulders, realizing that a better scene was unfolding before his eyes. The tension increased every time Jake got buckets. Jesus eventually shut down Jake, but Washington got a moral victory, and 'He Got Game' was elevated by a master's intuition. 'He's Jordan,' Lee said of Washington. 'Are you going to put the clamps on Jordan? If you have Jordan, you're not going to put the wraps on him. He got the green light. Everybody don't get the green light, but my brother from Money Earnin' Mount Vernon, he gets it.' That kind of trust and respect is what has allowed Washington and Lee to team up for five films together — the most recent of which, 'Highest 2 Lowest,' opens in theaters this weekend for the first collaboration between the two in nearly two decades. The movie centers on music mogul David King, played by Washington, and the moral dilemma he faces when asked to pay a financially crippling ransom to save the life of his best friend's kidnapped son. 'It was a New York story,' said Washington. 'I said, 'This is Spike.' I trust him completely. He'll do his New York thing and I'll do what I do and I ain't got to think about what he's doing and he doesn't have to worry about what I'm doing. I made a good decision. It was like going home.' 'You know that Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack song, 'Back Together Again'? That's what it is,' Lee said of the reunion. 'He Got Game' remains the only feature in Lee's four-decade filmography that can be classified as a sports movie. But sports iconography is as integral as the pulsating jazz scores to Lee's movies: Bernard King references and Mars Blackmon's obsession with Michael Jordan's sneakers in his breakout film 'She's Gotta Have It' (1986). Mookie wearing a Jackie Robinson jersey and Buggin Out getting upset that a white man in a Larry Bird jersey stepped on his Jordan 4s in 'Do The Right Thing' (1989). Scenes filmed at Yankee Stadium in 'Summer of Sam' (1999). Lee's passion for sports bleeds into most of his films. 'Highest 2 Lowest' continues the tradition, with former NBA star and 'He Got Game' alum Rick Fox playing a college basketball coach where the kidnapping occurs, flashes of Alexander Van Armstrong's painting of Joe Louis, and the ransom exchange taking place in the Bronx, near Yankee Stadium, where Yankees fans headed to the game holler, 'Boston sucks!' Lee is arguably the most famous supporter of New York teams and is rarely spotted in public without some combination of a Yankees cap, orange-and-blue Knicks apparel and exclusive Jordans (possibly the Spizike edition). For this interview, he's wearing a Knicks hat and a Jordan brand T-shirt. But in his movies, sports references go deeper than decoration. They give deep meaning to his characters and convey the tensions they encounter, often tied to the racial and cultural dynamics that permeate competition. 'It's handed down from your father,' Lee said of his love of sports. 'I was born in 1957. It was different in America. I'm of the generation where fathers took their kids to the sport events even before they could walk. My father, the late Bill Lee, great musician, loved sports. He loved New York teams. And I'm the first child, so big influence from my daddy.' Lee has done documentaries and short films about sports heroes Jim Brown, Kobe Bryant and Mike Tyson. He produced the sports drama 'Love & Basketball.' But the sports film that he's been longing to make for nearly 20 years is 'Save Us, Joe Louis,' a biopic that examines the heavyweight champion's relationship with German rival Max Schmeling. The two boxers met twice at Yankee Stadium: In 1936, with Schmeling knocking out the seemingly invincible Louis in the 12th round in a fight that Adolf Hitler used to support his belief in Aryan superiority, and in 1938, with the Brown Bomber destroying the Nazi propaganda with a first-round knockout. Lee has a script, co-written with Budd Schulberg, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 'On the Waterfront.' The movie's completion would help Lee fulfill a promise he said he made at Schulberg's deathbed, in 2009. And one of the many movies that Lee was unable to make is a Jackie Robinson biopic starring Washington — and it's a regret that runs deep. Lee grew up in Brooklyn, where the game and America were changed when Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, and the filmmaker's love for Black baseball's pioneers is so deep that he not only owns Josh Gibson's catcher's mitt but named his daughter after Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige. Lee wrote the script in 1996, basing it on the Robinson autobiography, 'I Never Had It Made,' and conversations with Robinson's widow, Rachel. Finding funding was impossible, and it didn't help that Washington — age 42 at the time — believed he was too old to handle the physical toll of the role. 'I grabbed my knees right away,' Washington said with a laugh. 'Probably too old to slide. I got six knee surgeries that said no.' 'Sometimes your projects just don't get made,' Lee said. 'Jackie is one of my heroes. It was an epic film. I got to read that script again. I haven't read it in a while.' Lee said he is reminded of the cultural significance of 'He Got Game' almost every time he's at his courtside seat cheering on the Knicks. 'People still want to remake it,' Lee said. 'When [players] get a chance, they're going to casually sneak over to me and say, 'Yo Spike, what about that remake? Put me in.' They don't have to mention 'He Got Game,' I know automatically what they're talking about.' 'He Got Game' might never get a sequel, but having the chance to spin the block once more with Washington in 'Highest 2 Lowest' gave Lee the chance to marvel at the actor's brilliance. In another late-night clash similar to the one-on-one battle with Jake and Jesus, Washington finds himself in a recording studio with the man responsible for the kidnapping, Yung Felon, who is portrayed by rapper A$AP Rocky. During the confrontational encounter, Washington took off on an unscripted monologue, mixing lyrics from Nas, Tupac and DMX. 'Bars,' Lee said of the exchange. 'Denzel did his thing, went into his Nas bag and broke out 'Illmatic.' A$AP Rocky went with the flow. I didn't know. Rocky didn't know. Beautiful move. Denzel flipped it and he just lifted the whole scene way up in the sky. When you lift the scene up, you're lifting the movie up, too. That's the intuition that Denzel has about it.'
New York Post
09-08-2025
- General
- New York Post
Fordham grad reunited with college ring after decades : metal detector sweeps Mount Sinai beach, ‘good hit'
After 56 years apart, a Fordham University grad has been reunited with his long-lost college ring — thanks to an electrician, a metal detector and a Mount Sinai beach sweep. Al DiStefano had watched his beloved ring slip from his finger and disappear into the Long Island Sound as he hung out on a Cedar Beach pier in May 1969. At 21-years-old, he thought the gold ring with the garnet stone and his name inscribed was lost forever. 3 DiStefano thought he'd lost the ring for good in the Long Island Sound. Courtesy of Al DiStefano 'It was a nice ring,' DiStefano, now 77, told The Post. 'It was important to me, I probably should have spent a little more time looking for it.' More than five decades later, Dave Orlowski was sweeping Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai with his metal detector when he got what he described as 'a good hit.' After multiple tries, he unearthed a unique ring while standing in nearly waist-deep water. 'I was digging, digging, digging,' said Orlowski. 'When I pulled up the ring, I couldn't believe the size and condition.' The ring commemorated Fordham University's Class of 1969 is embossed with the school's crest and ram mascot on opposite shanks. Inside, the engraving read 'Alfred R. DiStefano' in cursive. Orlowski, 56, of Port Jefferson Station, added the find to a collection of gold and silver he's amassed from Long Island beaches and lakes over the past 25 years. At first, the electrician and grandfather considered keeping it, estimating it could be worth $2,000 in scrap value because of its 1.3 ounces of white gold palladium. But his wife, Denise, changed his mind. 3 Dave Orlowski found the ring while metal detecting near Cedar Beach. Courtesy of Dave Orlowski 'She told me it would be bad karma to keep the ring since we had the name of the person inscribed,' Orlowski said. 'She asked me if I'd want my ring back in that situation, and that answered my question.' He found the 'Fordham University – Class of 1969' Facebook group and contacted an administrator. Karen Manning, a fellow Fordham alum, connected Orlowski with DiStefano through a mutual friend. 'David made me feel good about people again for going out of his way to try to find the owner,' Manning said. DiStefano, who grew up in Hicksville, currently lives in Arlington, Texas, after leaving New York City in 1974 and moving around a bit. 3 DiStefano's ring is in marvelous condition, he said. Courtesy Dave Orlowski The married grandfather of seven was shocked to learn his long-lost ring had been found just a half mile from the pier where he lost it. 'Once in a blue moon, I'd think about the ring having a nice life at the bottom of the Sound,' said DiStefano. 'I couldn't imagine how it could have been found.' He originally paid $110 for the ring in early 1969, just before his graduation. At the time it vanished, he couldn't afford a replacement. DiStefano went on to medical school and retired in 2023 after a nearly 50-year career as a medical oncologist. DiStefano said he thanked Orlowski 'a hundred times' and planned to reward his good deed with some gifts from Texas that the crafty detector couldn't find in New York. 'He mailed it to me, and I got it less than a week later — it's in marvelous condition,' DiStefano said. 'I'm wearing it now; I figured I ought to make up for lost time.'
West Australian
29-07-2025
- General
- West Australian
Western Australia leading the way after adoption of Emergency WA public warning system in Canada
Emergency warning technology designed for WA has been rolled out on the other side of the world in a Canadian province. Manitoba, a province in the centre of Canada, has released its version of the Emergency WA website, called MB Ready. The website features similar looking warning graphics marking 'wildfire' watch and acts, evacuation centres and road closures. The move comes amid 53 Western Australian firefighters having been deployed in Canada over the past months, tasked with battling deadly bushfires. Canada is currently fighting a horror bushfire season with multiple states of emergency declared and two people killed. DFES Public Information Manager Anni Fordham said the overseas adoption was proof Western Australia was leading the way on public safety messaging. 'With our significant experience, our State is really leading the way when it comes to emergency information and this is thanks to our depth of experience and also the world class systems that we've built,' she said. 'It's really clear from all the conversations I had there (Canada) that there is a really strong interest in the work that we're doing here, and it's something that we can be really, really proud of.' According to Ms Fordham multiple jurisdictions around Australia and overseas have also expressed interest.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How do T20 league auctions work during a busy calendar? A behind-the-scenes look as ILT20 takes the big leap
ILT20 Auction With excitement building around the fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20), all eyes are now on a major shift in the league's approach to squad building - the introduction of a player auction. For the first time since its inception, the UAE's marquee franchise league will hold an auction, scheduled for September, replacing the draft system used in the first three seasons. Auctions have become a signature feature of global T20 leagues, offering drama, intrigue, and promotional buzz ahead of a new season. Player prices, bidding wars, and squad strategies often capture fan and media attention - and ILT20 is now poised to enter that high-stakes space. The upcoming auction not only aims to refresh team compositions but also to reinforce the league's ambition of becoming one of the most global cricket competitions. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! But what does it take to organise such a complex event - from creating a player pool to planning logistics for a multi-national talent assembly? To understand the mechanics and ambitions behind the ILT20's first-ever auction, caught up with Mike Fordham, ILT20's Head of Cricket Operations. In an exclusive interview, Fordham walked us through every detail - from Right to Match to wildcard picks and UAE player development. Excerpts: What was the thought process behind introducing the auction format after three seasons of drafts? It was for a few reasons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Most of the players were originally signed on three-year contracts, and we're now at the end of that cycle. So, we felt it was a good opportunity to freshen things up and try something new. We also wanted to open up more opportunities to new players. One of our aims with ILT20 is to be the most global cricket league in the world. We felt an auction was a good way to attract talent from various parts of the world and give teams a chance to reshape their squads. This year, teams were allowed to retain or directly sign up to eight players — including a mix of international and UAE players. All six teams have filled those slots. They'll complete their squads at the auction and are also allowed to add two wildcard signings later. Some teams have already begun that process. The auction will also serve as the launchpad for Season Four, generating buzz and giving fans something to talk about. It's scheduled for September, ahead of the league's December 2 start. ILT20 2025 Retentions: Big Names Stay, Shocks & Surprises Unfold! What goes on behind the scenes to streamline the auction process, especially around building the player pool and aligning with player availability? A lot of preparation is involved, and we have a full team managing it. First, we're launching an online registration portal for players and agents to sign up for the auction. That will remain open for about five to six weeks, leading into late August. Once that closes, we'll finalise the player pool. Legal documents and contracts are also being prepared. Logistically, the auction will be a large event - venue selection, top-tier auctioneer, and specialised auction software are all being handled. We're working with a leading software firm to ensure everything runs smoothly. People will travel to Dubai for the event, so all associated logistics are also being looked after. We're confident our team will deliver. Will Right To Match (RTM) influence auction dynamics? And how do wildcard signings work? Wildcard signings occur outside the auction. Each team can sign two additional players beyond the 21-member squad at any point after the direct signing window. Some teams have started signing wildcards; others might wait closer to the season. RTM applies only to UAE players. We've been running a development tournament for the last two years, and this year's edition will happen just before the auction. Each franchise has a development team - Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, etc. If a UAE player from a development squad enters the auction and is bid on, the original franchise will have the final right to match. This helps reinforce investment in local talent and gives development squads a tangible reward for grooming players. Will ILT20 increase the number of UAE or associate players in the playing XI? Yes, this season we're mandating two UAE players and one associate player in the playing XI. That associate player can be from UAE or another associate nation like Namibia, Scotland, Netherlands, Nepal, or the USA. Cricket is growing rapidly, and we want to support that global expansion. Right now, cricket is a top global sport but only truly taken seriously in about a dozen countries. We want ILT20 to serve as a platform for emerging nations. Ideally, five years from now, we'd like to see more UAE and associate players in starting XIs, with overall playing standards continuing to rise. What are the unique challenges of organising an ILT20 auction compared to other leagues? The structure of auctions is generally similar across leagues, but ILT20 had some unique challenges. Until now, we didn't have a clearly defined window due to overlapping leagues during January. This season, we've moved it forward - starting early December and ending early January - to reduce conflicts. While the window isn't entirely clear, availability has improved, which should boost the talent pool. The auction should run smoothly, but the league's uniqueness lies in its international appeal. Players enjoy coming to the UAE, especially during the holiday season. Great weather, world-class facilities, and family-friendly environments make it attractive. We're leveraging that to build a strong product, and the auction is a vital part of that journey. EPIC IS BACK! ILT20 set for explosive return on December 2, 2025 Will teams focus more on availability or squad dynamics during the auction? It's a mix. Ideally, teams want players available for the full season. But if a world-class player is only available for part of it, they might still sign him to get off to a strong start. For example, Sharjah Warriors have signed Tim David , one of the world's best T20 batters. He'll play the first half before joining the Big Bash League in Australia. Teams will replace such players mid-season if needed. International commitments - like England-Australia Test series (Ashes) - also impact availability. Teams are used to managing this and franchise cricket operates with that flexibility. Players are accustomed to flying in and out on short notice. What can fans expect from the auction? Will it be live-streamed or offer new innovations? We're working on plans to stream the auction live on our digital platforms. It should be an exciting event for fans to watch as teams finalise their squads. There will likely be surprises and new elements. The RTM for UAE players will be an interesting dynamic. Additionally, we're introducing players from other Gulf countries, making the tournament more pan-Middle Eastern. Overall, we hope the auction provides something fresh for ILT20 and a reason for fans to stay engaged as the season build-up begins. How has ILT20 contributed to UAE's cricket growth, particularly in player development and infrastructure? Development of local players has been a core objective. Any league, in any sport, must build a strong local base - it can't be just about overseas stars. The UAE has long had a talented pool, partly due to its diverse population. Now, we're seeing sustained progress. Take Aayan Khan, for example. He's been part of Gulf Giants since Season One and has worked closely with top professionals like James Vince and Chris Jordan, under Andy Flower. That exposure is invaluable. Each franchise has a minimum of four UAE players per squad - 24 in total across the league - working with coaches like Tom Moody , James Foster, and Dwayne Bravo. That elevated their performance. The UAE's recent win over Bangladesh in a bilateral series speaks volumes. Players like Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates) are now winning ICC Player of the Month awards. This progress is directly linked to ILT20's environment. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
BBC News
24-06-2025
- BBC News
Girton and Fordham Co-op break-ins linked by police
Two overnight burglaries of village Co-op stores are believed to be linked, police store in Carter Street, in Fordham, was targeted at about 01: 55 BST when three people broke in and stole cash, Cambridgeshire Police said. The second burglary happened at about 02:30 at the Co-op in Girton Road in Girton, and money was again arrests have yet been made. The shutters at the Girton store appear to have had a square cut out of them by the burglars so they could gain access. Det Sgt Jonathan Lockwood, said: "We have a team working to investigate the burglaries, which we believe are linked. "We are aware this is not the first incident of its kind in the area and we understand this is very concerning for those involved and the local communities. "Extra patrols are also taking place in the area."He appealed for anyone who might have footage or CCTV of the incidents to get in touch. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
