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Ray Rice believes in the adage, never forget where you came from."
With each visit back to his hometown of New Rochelle, the local hero and super running back for the NFLs Baltimore Ravens returns to support kids in the community where he grew up.
And Rice hasnt forgotten his Rutgers University roots either. With the sponsorship of his alma mater New Rochelle High School and the backing of Rutgers and dozens of businesses and corporate sponsors, Rice will host Ray Rice Day on Saturday, June 18 at New Rochelles High Schools McKenna Field, the site of his scholastic success.
Longtime New Rochelle High School coach Lou DiRienzo, who coached Rice during his time at the school, organized the event.
"Ray is a great ambassador for the school and the communty," DiRienzo said. "Whenever he wants to come in and share we're here to help him. I put this together for that reason -- Ray sings his message to the kids in a very effective way, so we expect to have a great day."
Rice was a star player as early as age 10, when he played youth football in New Rochelle and became a standout high school player, leading the Huguenots to a New York State Public Schools Class AA football title in 2003. Rice also donned a basketball jersey and helped the school's basketball team upset rival Mount Vernon in the Section 1 championships in 2005. Rices legend among local kids grows with every Ravens game as youngsters look to emulate the dynamic little guy a 5-foot-8, 210-pound power pack from NewRo who made it big. Rices frequent visits back home prove that he accepts his role model status. Ray Rice Day will include games, instruction, lunch and autographs for children in grades 3-8 free of charge. Pre-registration is required and can be done at www.lohud.com/rayriceday. Rices college career lasted 38 games during which he rushed for 4,926 yards and scored 50 touchdowns (49 rushing). He is the second-leading rusher in Big East history and the all-time leading rusher in Rutgers history. Rice ranks second in Ravens franchise history with 3,013 rushing yards. He finished third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,776) in 2010. A Pro Bowl selection in 2009, Rice was one of two NFL players in 2009 (Tennessees Chris Johnson) to tally 2,000 yards from scrimmage (2,041), ranking second in the NFL with an average of 127.6 net yards per game.
The event is being present by The Journal News' High School Sports.net. with the sponsorship of the New Rochelle Youth Tackle Association, Wells Fargo Bank, F.A.S.S.T, WFAN Radio, WHUD Radio, Doral Arrowwood, Modell's Sporting Goods. 22, Zico, The Iron Tomato, FSG, Eatery on North Avenue anf The GYM.
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