Boston College Athletics
Don Croatti To Receive Donlon Award
June 01, 2011 | Boston College Athletics
June 1, 2011
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Don Croatti, a past president of the Boston College Varsity Club and recognized as the father of the Boston College Gridiron Club, has been selected to receive the 2011 Rev. William J. Donlon Special Achievement Award, according to a joint announcement by director of athletics Gene DeFilippo and Varsity Club president Chris Conley.
The Donlon Award was established in 1999 to honor individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and performed exceptional service to Boston College Athletics. The award, given periodically, honors Father William J. "Bill" Donlon for his 60 years of service and dedication to Boston College.
Croatti, a 1960 Boston College graduate, will receive the award at a reception on Friday night, Sept. 16, 2011, and then feted again during the following day's Boston College-Duke football game. He will be joined by this year's Varsity Club Hall of Fame class at halftime of the football game.
Croatti served as the president of the Boston College Varsity Club in 2002 and 2003. He also served as chairman of the Varsity Club Hall of Fame's selection committee. The Varsity Club is the school's athletic alumni organization. It is the only club that represents all varsity student-athletes who have had the distinct honor of wearing the maroon and gold.
The Southborough, Mass., resident directed the Boston College Touchdown Club for several years and, in 1999, it was his initiative that brought together that club with the BC football alumni group to form the Boston College Gridiron Club. To this day, Croatti retains the title of the club's President Emeritus.
Croatti is a native of Framingham, Mass.
