Iona College Honoring Essential Workers at Men’s Basketball Game February 20

Essential workers will receive a complimentary ticket to the game and free t-shirt upon arrival

Athletics News

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — On February 20, Iona College is celebrating essential workers during the men’s basketball game in the Hynes Athletics Center, dubbing it “Essential Worker Day.” As a special thank you to those who have bravely served both prior and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the College will provide complimentary tickets to the game and one free t-shirt for all essential workers in attendance.

Essential workers are classified as those who ensure the safety and well-being of the public as well as the continuity of everyday critical functions, including but not limited to: law enforcement, firefighters, health care providers, educators, news anchors, retail workers and those in the service industry (hospitality, transit, technology, mail, cleaning, etc.).

Essential workers can redeem their complimentary tickets to the game online with the code HERO22 at iona.edu/tix by February 18. The Gaels and legendary Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, who recently celebrated his 800th college career win, will take on Fairfield University with tip-off promptly at 1 p.m. T-shirts will be provided upon arrival. All essential workers are also welcome to invite their family and friends – who may also use the promo code for complimentary tickets – as they are honored on this special night for their hard work and dedication.

Free tickets for essential workers at Sunday's game.

Essential workers can redeem their complimentary tickets to the game online with the code HERO22 at iona.edu/tix by February 18.

Recognizing the heroic role that health care professionals play – and noting that the world needs more of them – Iona is doing its part to develop the next generation. Most notably, Iona is expanding its nursing program while also developing the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. The new school offers students a unique opportunity to learn from top professionals in state-of-the-art facilities in collaboration with New York’s #1 hospital, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals. Programs currently include Nursing (BS), Occupational Therapy (MS), Social Work (BS), Communication Sciences & Disorders (MA), Marriage & Family Therapy (MS), and Mental Health Counseling (MA).

ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & ScienceLaPenta School of BusinessNewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a  fully online MBA program  for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.