Garden City, N.Y. - Josh Blumenthal 'M09 and his wife Cherilynn could think of no better way to honor the legacy of the Purdie Family (Gordon '89, Carol '85, and Gordon Jr '20 'M21), and celebrate their more than thirty-year friendship with the Blumenthal Family (Josh, Cherilynn, and their children, Ethan, and Harper), than by creating the 9.13 Community Engagement Fund at Adelphi University.

The fund, which will be dedicated to athletic teams in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, will be solely for those pursuing community engagement activities with outside 501(c)(3) organizations.

"Knowing that this fund will live on in perpetuity is a blessing we are more than willing to give," Cherilynn Blumenthal shared. "Consideration for the use of this fund shall be given to Athletic programs engaged in community service activities, with preference given to teams engaged with organizations that support children."

Josh and Gordon first met in 1992 at the Waldorf School of Garden City, which sits adjacent to Adelphi, as student and coach, respectively. They would go on to win multiple League and State lacrosse championships together from 1996-98, and have continued to forge a close relationship within the sport of lacrosse and off the field of play.

Gordon started as Josh's coach but became a mentor and later a life-long friend. After attending college at the University of Rhode Island, Josh was offered and accepted a position on Gordon's staff and earned his master's degree from Adelphi University.

Over the past almost, two decades, the families have grown close, traveling north and south to spend time together, and Gordon was even the best man at Josh's wedding. The two even wound-up coaching against each other as head coaches with Josh squeaking out a 5-2 victory to stay 1-0 all-time in head-to-head action.

"We thank Josh and Cherilynn for their generosity," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Danny McCabe. "This gift is transformational because it will help our student-athlete impact the world around them."

"Being an Adelphi Panther means working to improve the community both on and off campus. The 9.13 fund will assist our student-athletes to do just that every year."

Considering this special relationship, and all that the Purdie Family has meant to the Blumenthal's and their tradition and impact at Adelphi, the 9.13 Community Engagement Fund was established to honor them, and continue their shared vision for the importance of community service.