Iona University Honoring Essential Workers at Men’s Basketball Game January 15

Essential workers, family and friends can claim complimentary tickets using code HERO23

Athletics News

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — On January 15, Iona University 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, the University will provide complimentary tickets to the game for all essential workers in attendance.

Essential workers can redeem their complimentary tickets to the game online with the code HERO23 at ionagaels.universitytickets.com. 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.

Essential workers are classified as those who work to 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.).

The Gaels and legendary Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino will take on Rider University with tip-off promptly at 1 p.m.

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. In particular, Iona just opened the Kelly Center for Health Sciences, the flagship building of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. The nearly 32,000-square-foot, newly renovated building spans three floors and features the most modern equipment, spaces and amenities. Notably, the entire top floor is dedicated to recreating a hospital setting, complete with simulation labs, exam rooms and training equipment on the cutting-edge of the industry.  

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 & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” 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 NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. 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.