Marquice Cole and the New York Jets Support Cabrini Connections

In today's economy where it's getting tougher and tougher for non-profit organizations and other businesses stay above water, the New York Jets are stepping up in their support of Cabrini Connections. On July 16th the Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection organization will be hosting our annual Jimmy Biggs Memorial Golf Benefit at the Highland Park Country Club. This is and has been one of our biggest fundraising events for years, and we are hoping this event assists us with getting the necessary funds and resources needed to continue to provide the services for the Cabrini Connections' youth and volunteers.

Chicago's own Marquice Cole spearheaded the support from his New York Jet teammates. Marquice Cole who was a standout player at Northwestern University as a lock down defensive back, fearless special teams player, and considered by many as one of the fastest football players in the country, is fulfilling his dreams of playing in the NFL as a member of the New York Jets. On his official visit to Northwestern University we had an opportunity to hang out and have been pretty good friends since that initial meeting.

Being a Chicago native and a former resident of the Cabrini Green community as a youth, he put himself on the right track to become a graduate of Northwestern University. Mr. Cole not only understands the the many obstacles that youth face in Chicago's inner-city, Mr. Cole also understands the hard work, dedication, commitment, and the importance of getting an education that is needed to reach the many goals that youth have.

After a brief conversation with "Quice" via facebook, I was telling him about the Cabrini Connections' program and our annual golf benefit that is quickly approaching, and asked if he would be willing to support in some way. Quice, who remembered his days a Cabrin Green youth, without hesitation, responded with "Yes!" In less than 24 hours Mr. Cole not only got a football and autographed it himself, he was able to get autographs from 'basically the whole team' and delivered the football to the Cabrini Connections' program last evening. The New York Jets include players such as Linebacker Vernon Gholston, shutdown DB Lito Sheppard, 1st round draft pick and potential NFL Rookie of the Year Mark Sanchez QB from USC, and of course Marquice Cole!

The Cabrini Connections' staff truly thanks and appreciates the support from Marquice Cole and the entire New York Jets' organization of the annual Jimmy Biggs Memorial Golf Benefit and the CC, T/MC as a whole. While some people do great things for their hometown and earn the 'key to the city,' Marquice already has the 'card of NU' and with his continued support of Cabrini Connections and other tutor/mentor programs in the city of Chicago he may one day earn the 'key to the city' as well.