“Andre was a great teammate who all the guys enjoyed being around,” said head men’s basketball coach Sal Lagano. “He was a pleasure to coach and was willing to help the team in anyway. My condolences go out to his family. Andre will always be a part of the NYIT family and will truly be missed.”

 

Menzies, was a 9-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, and was on his way home from his duty assignment at the Queens Housing Bureau when he was struck by a drunk driver going the wrong way on the Northern State Parkway shortly after midnight Monday.

 

NYIT Director of Athletics Clyde Doughty, Jr., remembers Menzies as a charismatic individual, who was excited for the opportunity to play basketball at NYIT.

 

“Andre would contact me from time to time to keep me abreast of his life endeavors,” said Doughty. “I know he was enjoying life as a NYC police officer and being the positive role model to his family. There are no words that can fully describe the helpless feeling I am experiencing or the grief that his family is enduring at this time.”

 

"Andre was a great person that always worked hard on and off the court and was a very lively, energetic and reliable teammate,” said former teammate Jermain Hollman (B.A. ’02, M.A. ’05). “He had a work ethic for the game that you cannot teach, and that motivation and dedication followed him in all aspects of life. Andre will always live on in my thoughts and prayers.”

 

Menzies lived in North Babylon, N.Y. and is survived by his wife, Natacha, and their two children, ages 9 and 7. He also had three daughters – ages 12, 14 and 15 – with his first wife, who passed away.

 

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time; however, NYIT will honor the memory and life of Menzies at this Saturday’s men’s basketball season-opener against Felician College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Recreation Hall.

 

Prior to the match, the men’s basketball team welcomes home its alumni for the annual alumni game at 12:30 p.m.

 

Sources: NY Daily News, Newsday, Dix Hills Patch