Andruzzi to bring vital experiences to Bridgewater State students

03/06/2014

After battling cancer, former New England Patriot offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi set up the Joe Andruzzi Foundation to help patients and families of cancer. Kendra Perry - Photo. — After battling cancer, former New England Patriot offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi set up the Joe Andruzzi Foundation to help patients and families of cancer. Kendra Perry – Photo.

By Greg Dudek

Comment Staff

Former offensive lineman for the New England Patriots Joe Andruzzi is bringing his experiences to Bridgewater State University.

Andruzzi will speak at the “Giving Back with Joe Andruzzi” event on Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rondileau Campus Center Auditorium.

Andruzzi will discuss his life experiences ranging from being a three-time NFL Super Bowl champion to his role in helping victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

“I thought it would be great to bring someone knowledgeable in the world to campus so students can hear about leadership, civic responsibility and giving back to your community from someone who’s famous and has some fantastic experiences in the world,” said Scott Hall resident director and main organizer of the event Ryan Greelish. “It would be a different perspective for students to hear.”

Andruzzi will speak from 7:30-8:30 p.m., and then will hold a question and answer segment with the audience for 30 minutes.

Alongside his three Super Bowl rings, Andruzzi has become a proven leader in the community. After having battled cancer himself, Andruzzi founded the Joe Andruzzi Foundation which helps assist patients and families of cancer.

“He has just done countless things in the community and done so much beyond just being a football player,” Greelish said. “Students will get so much listening to him and hearing his experiences.”

Andruzzi’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as he has won several awards for his service in the community.

His high-profile has Bridgewater State students excited to learn and take in the messages Andruzzi has to offer.

“He had a real impact in helping victims of the Boston bombings,” said senior physical education major Cole Smith. “He is an inspiration. It was kind of a wakeup call to see him do that and understand that we can go out and help somebody.”

Greelish said she has worked on getting Andruzzi to campus since November when she received the student support fee grant.

Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Pina established the grant for anyone in the student affairs division who has a new initiative or programming idea that will benefit undergraduate students.

Greelish said she hopes this can spark a trend in bringing speakers that students are interested in to campus.

Greg Dudek is The Comment’s Editor-In-Chief. Follow him on Twitter at gdudek10 or email him at gdudek@student.bridgew.edu.