This Saturday, November 15, during halftime ceremonies of the Pride-Northeastern game at James M. Shuart Stadium, former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman and Hofstra alumnus Dave Fiore will become the fifth player in Pride football history to have his college jersey number (#74) retired.

Fiore will join current New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston (#89) and former New York Jets lineman John Schmitt (#77), who had their jersey numbers retired earlier this season, and former New York Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet (#3) and Hofstra great Walter Kohanowich (#33), who had their numbers retired previously.

In an effort to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of numerous former student-athletes during the University's nearly 75 years of existence, Hofstra University has announced that a group of 20 former Pride athletes will have their jersey numbers retired.  "The honoring of these 20 former student-athletes is a celebration of the outstanding history of Hofstra Athletics," commented Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes.

Fiore was a four-year starter for the Pride from 1992 through 1995 and was a first team I-AA-now FCS-All-America selection as a senior by the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press and the Walter Camp Foundation. During his four-year career, during which time Hofstra made the transition to I-AA from Division III, Fiore started 41 of 42 games and helped lead the team to a regular season mark of 28-11-2. As a senior in 1995, Hofstra was 10-1 during the regular season and advanced to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs for the first time. Fiore anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the team to average more than 200 yards per game rushing in 1994 and 1995 with 1995's 261.7 yards per game average ranking as the third best in program history. In addition to his All-America selections, Dave was also named to the All-ECAC team and received the Hempstead Mayor's Trophy. He was also a founding member of the Hofstra chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Following graduation with a degree in biology, Fiore signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers and went on to enjoy an eight-year career in the National Football League, including six seasons with the 49ers and two with the Washington Redskins. While a member of the San Francisco 49ers, he received the NFL Unsung Hero Award in 2001.

Fiore has devoted a considerable amount of time to several charitable organizations, including Silicon Valley Boys and Girls Club (Former Board Member), Habitat for Humanity, San Francisco 49ers Foundation, San Jose Sharks Foundation, Forever Young Foundation, D.A.R.E. Program, and many others. Most recently, he has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Liver Foundation, Northern California Chapter. The American Liver Foundation is the nation's premiere philanthropic organization working to cure liver disease. Dave became involved with the group following the loss of his former 49ers coach, Bob McKittrick, to liver cancer.

Fiore is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of San Jose, California-based Waverec, Inc., a real estate investment company focusing primarily on acquisition, redevelopment, and marketing of real estate holdings throughout California, Nevada, and New York.

Earlier this year the athletics department began an online process that resulted in more than 150 nominations being submitted.  From that list the group of 20 former student-athletes was selected by a committee of alumni, athletics department administrators and Hofstra Pride Club members. The group of 20 former Hofstra student-athletes encompasses a wide range of sports and accomplishments as 10 different teams are recognized and among the honorees are National Champions, National Players of the Year, All-Americans and World Champions.
 

To purchase football tickets online for the Hofstra-Northeastern contest this Saturday go to www.hofstra.edu/athletics or call 516-HOF-TIXX.

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