Buzzards Bay, Mass. --  As the world pauses to remember and reflect upon the tragic events of September 11, 2001 on its 10-year anniversary next weekend, the Massachusetts Maritime Department of Athletics will conduct special ceremonies in honor of those who were lost and those who have and continue to serve communities during its home events schedule on Saturday, September 10^th.

In keeping with its longstanding tradition, the Buccaneer football team will welcome members of the police, fire and emergency medical technicians from the Town of Bourne, along with members of both the Massachusetts Maritime and State Police departments, to serve as honorary captains for the 2011 season-opening contest with Western New England at Clean Harbors Stadium beginning at Noon.  Prior to kickoff, members of the law enforcement, fire and emergency prevention teams will be recognized and will also take part in the ceremonial coin toss.  Additionally, the Academy will pay tribute to a pair of student-athletes from both schools who were lost in the events of September 11^th, as Massachusetts Maritime’s Jay Corcoran ’79, a standout on the Buccaneer men’s basketball team, and Western New England’s Jimmy Geyer ’81, a two-sport star in football and lacrosse, both perished in the attacks.

“It is an honor to pay tribute and thanks to those who make everyday sacrifices to protect our communities and our great nation with this remembrance,” Massachusetts Maritime Director of Athletics Bob Corradi said.  “There are countless individuals who put themselves in harms way on a daily basis, and the entire Buccaneer family considers it a privilege to acknowledge our appreciation for all of our hard working firemen, paramedics and police officers in this manner.”

The Buzzards Bay campus will be a busy place on September 10^th, as six Buccaneer fall sport programs will be in action at home.  The day begins with the running of the Seventh Annual Lt. Travis J. Fuller Cross Country Invitational alongside the Cape Cod Canal beginning with the women’s race at 9:00 a.m. followed by the men’s race at 9:30 a.m.  A four-year standout and 2001 graduate of the Academy, Lt. Fuller proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps and was killed in action during that service in Iraq on January 26, 2005, and the annual races were established in his memory that fall.

Following the Fuller Invitational, football takes center stage at Clean Harbors Stadium when the Buccaneers kickoff their nine-game regular season schedule against Western New England, as both squads are favorites to finish in the upper tier of their respective divisions of the New England Football Conference.  The Massachusetts Maritime volleyball team will then take the court at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center at 3:30 p.m. to host Regis and Becker in a non-league tri-match, and the day concludes back at Clean Harbors Stadium when the Buccaneer soccer teams will host Lesley in a non-league doubleheader, with the women’s match beginning at 4:30 p.m. followed by the men’s match at 6:30 p.m.  Special ceremonies to honor those who have fallen, those who protect and those who sacrifice in the law enforcement, fire and emergency prevention and armed forces communities will also be recognized.