DONATION: NU students grant Lockport girl's wish

Niagara U.

April 16, 2009

By Jonah Bronstein The Niagara Gazette Thu Apr 16, 2009, 10:40 PM EDT

LEWISTON — The Hansen home in Lockport will be receiving a facilities upgrade thanks to the Niagara Purple Eagles.

Niagara’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student Government Association collectively raised more than $5,000 for the Make-A-Wish foundation, which will allow 12-year-old Briana Hansen to practice gymnastics and dancing in her basement.

Briana, who has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, spoke confidently to a group of more than 50 people in front of the university’s Castellani Art Museum on Thursday before accepting the gift.

“My wish is to have my basement turned into a dance studio and gymnastics recreation room,” she said. “It’s going to have matted floors, mirrors on the walls, gymnastic equipment, and a television with (the Nintendo video game) Wii Fit.”

Briana was accompanied by her parents, Brian and Amy, her younger sister Olivia, and her cousins, Heather and Jenny Ricciuti, of Youngstown. Jenny currently attends Niagara, while Heather is an alumna.

Along with dancing and gymnastics, Briana also participates in swimming, softball, basketball, soccer and skiing.

“Anything that exercises her lungs will ultimately keep her healthy,” her mother, Amy Hansen said.

Make-A-Wish also could’ve arranged a celebrity meeting or a trip, Amy Hansen said, but the family decided that “a gift that keeps on giving would be best.”

“This is a very special day for NU athletics and the entire NU student body,” said Jessel Mangal, co-president of SAAC and a member of the baseball team.

Mangal said Niagara athletes raised more than $2,600 selling Make-A-Wish star magnets.

“We really took charge on this and the student-athletes were really committed to selling their stars,” he said. “And Josh Coyne and the student government helped us on the last mile of our journey.”

When it was found out that they needed more money to grant Briana’s wish, the Niagara student government came up with matching funds, donating the proceeds from comedian Demetri Martin’s concert at the Gallagher Center this Sunday.

“St. Vincent De Paul asks three questions,” Coyne, president of the 2010 class, told the crowd. “What must be done? What must I do? And what must we do to meet the challenges that we see so clearly before us?

“These are the questions that student-athletes and student leaders ask on this campus every day.”

Heather Alessi, a representative for the local Make-A-Wish chapter, thanked the students.

“More importantly than the dollars,” she said, “thank you very much for caring for our community.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The local chapter has granted more than 1,700 wishes since being founded in 1992, according to the organizations Web site.

To get involved in Make-A-Wish, or to refer a child, visit www.wnywish.org or call 810-WISH.

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Niagara U.

Niagara shuts out Canisius
Paul Zanette had a goal and assist while goaltender Chris Noonan made 29 saves to propel the Niagara University men’s hockey team to a critical 3-0 victory over Canisius at the Buffalo State College Sports Complex.

February 17, 2011
Situation getting worse for Niagara basketball team
Niagara sank into last place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 51-49 loss at Manhattan, which came into the game on a 15-game losing streak Monday. And that was hardly the most ominous news to come out of the lost weekend, which also included Saturday’s setback at Saint Peter’s.

January 17, 2011
Niagara falls hard in big game
With Calvin Murphy being honored at halftime and ESPNU showing the game nationwide, the Purple Eagles missed more than twice as many shots as they made and lost 82-65 to visiting Metro Atlantic Athletic foe Rider before a crowd of 1,275.

January 8, 2011 1 Photo
A legend holds court at NU
Calvin Murphy adds to his legend in return

January 7, 2011 3 Photos
Calvin Murphy excited to come back to Niagara
Murphy is passionate about showing his loyalty to Niagara because the university has done the same for him over the years.

January 6, 2011
Niagara loses by 45 at Drexel
The Niagara men’s basketball team suffered through its most lopsided loss in over a decade on its worst offensive night in almost a century.

December 28, 2010
Niagara making impression in Atlantic Hockey
As second semester approaches, Purple Eagles have rebounded after down year

December 27, 2010 1 Photo
Purple Eagles encouraged to follow the leader
Having lost seven of eight games for just the second time in his 12 years at Niagara, coach Joe Mihalich is concerned that his roster of mostly freshmen and sophomores is not responding to the leadership being provided by his lone senior.

December 27, 2010
Dobrich pursues his passion coaching the Purple Eagles
Luke Dobrich, 32, is in his eighth season as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Niagara, and his first as the senior member of head coach Joe Mihalich’s staff.

December 22, 2010
Nelson’s basket lifts NU past Bowling Green
Anthony Nelson’s basket with just a second left on the shot clock proved the game’s winning play as the Purple Eagles evened their record at 2-2 with a 65-61 victory over Bowling Green on Friday.

November 26, 2010
More Niagara U. Headlines

Niagara U.

Search Results

DONATION: NU students grant Lockport girl's wish

Site Map

Contact Us