Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University Baseball Program hosted an alumni dinner on Saturday, April 13, at the Hofstra University Club. The event honored the Leiderman family.
 
Earlier that day, the team wore special blue pinstriped jerseys in support of Mike Leiderman and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) research. Mike Leiderman, the father of baseball alumnus, David Leiderman, was an ardent supporter of Hofstra Athletics and the baseball program with his wife, Galita, and daughter, Erica. He passed away due to ALS this past November.
 
Mike was also involved with baseball on Long Island though his association with the Long Island Storm men's team, the Long Island Storm Academy and the Junior Storm Travel Baseball program. The Long Island Storm is one of the most successful amateur baseball programs in the country and the Storm Academy has produced more than 100 professional players.
 
Nick Clark, who co-founded the Junior Storm program with Mike, was the first recipient of the Mike Leiderman Memorial Award in recognition of his integrity to the game of baseball through unprecedented levels of service and excellence, carrying on the example that Mike set throughout his life.
 
Newsday Sports Editor Gregg Sarra, a long-time friend of the Leiderman family, served as the emcee of the dinner. Hofstra Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr., Head Baseball Coach John Russo, David Leiderman, Nick Clark, Bruce Quinn, and Rich Hess each delivered remarks.
 
The Hofstra Baseball team raised more than $850 at the event, which will be donated to the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter in Mike's memory.