Boston College Athletics
Frates Honored at High School Alma Mater
November 20, 2017 | Baseball
The BC graduated was named St. John's Prep's Distinguished Alumnus
DANVERS, Mass. - Former Boston College baseball captain Pete Frates (2004-07) was named the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by his high school alma mater, St. John's Prep, in Danvers, Mass., on Nov. 14.  The catalyst behind the 2014 social media phenomenon the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the former outfielder helped raise million of dollars for research and home care for ALS. He was diagnosed in March 2012, at the age of 27. His alma mater also named the baseball field after him.Â
From St. John's Prep release...Â
The John Peter Frates III '03 legacy at St. John's grows deeper with his formal acceptance of the school's 2018 Distinguished Alumnus award
It's difficult to imagine anyone whose influence could extend further or be more transformative than that of Pete Frates. St. John's recognized the 2003 graduate Tuesday evening with the formal presentation of the school's 2018 Distinguished Alumnus award. The honor is the crowning achievement in a trio of accolades that include naming the varsity baseball field at St. John's in his honor and retiring his No. 3 jersey number across the three sports he played as a student at the Prep.
"Pete and his family personify the spirit and values we seek to instill in our students on a day-to-day basis" said Headmaster Edward P. Hardiman, Ph.D. "Pete is a hero, an inspiration and a warrior for the common good. We want our students to understand that everyone can live that life. Pete was an ordinary kid who, along with his family, has lived out the Xaverian Brothers' call to share their gifts in the service of others—one bucket, one challenge at a time."
Tuesday's reception in Kennealy Commons doubled as a celebration of those alumni previously recognized during the past quarter century following the award's inception in 1993. Frates is the 26th Distinguished Alumnus in school history, and he was joined at his induction ceremony by members of his family, as well as 11 former honorees or their official representatives. See photos from last night's event.
"My inclusion in this evening and sharing this distinction with a guy like Pete makes me feel taller and stronger," said John Archer '68, who became the school's 12th Distinguished Alumnus in 2004. "I continue to feel a close association with this institution, and I call on what I learned here every single day, both in terms of the education I received and the pursuit of  a life worth living."
Former recipients in attendance were Mrs. Marge Leonard, representing the late Tom Leonard '54, Father Leo Shea M.M. '56, Joseph Levis '60, Father James Ronan '62, John Archer '68, James Zampell '71, Peter Dolan '74, James Sears '81, Sam Byrne '83, Mike Kennealy '86 and Mrs. Gretchen Driscoll, representing the late John Driscoll '90.
The St. John's Prep annual Distinguished Alumnus award celebrates individuals who demonstrate an exceptional and unwavering commitment to faith, family and service; who have achieved professional success; and who have made significant contributions to society as volunteers, mentors or benefactors.
The Frates family's connection to St. John's includes Pete's father, John, who is a 1976 graduate, and his brother, Andrew, a 2006 graduate.
"For my brother to be the youngest alum ever to receive this distinction, that makes this night extra special," said Andrew Frates. "It really demonstrates the impact he's had not just on the St. John's Prep community, but worldwide."
John Frates' remarks to the gathering were particularly poignant.
""Pete, you're here at the Prep, which means you're home," he said, addressing his son directly. "This school became part of your legacy and it will always be part of your legacy, and now you are part of the Prep's. It's clear how much you love this place and also how much the Prep community loves you."
Frates has battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) for more than five years and sparked a cultural phenomenon by popularizing the Ice Bucket Challenge, which went viral on social media during the summer of 2014. The Beverly native ultimately inspired unprecedented fundraising in the search for a cure. Multiple charitable initiatives in association with"Team Frate Train" and Pete Frates #3 have raised more than $220 million worldwide.
"Peter really deserves every form of recognition he's received," said Marge Leonard, whose late husband, Tom, was a 1954 graduate of the Prep and the school's inaugural Distinguished Alumnus back in 1993. Leonard was a passionate community servant and conservationist who served as President of the Essex Natural Heritage Commission. "Dad would have been excited about tonight," added Leonard's son, Dan '86. "He would have loved that Pete is being honored for leveraging his misfortune for the benefit of others."
Tuesday night's ceremony was the last in a trio of school accolades for Frates. On October 20, the Prep dedicated the varsity baseball field as "Pete Frates '03 Diamond." In August, St. John's announced the retirement of his No. 3 jersey, the first number to be retired in the history of Eagles athletics. The distinction extends to all three sports he played—football, hockey and baseball.
A three-sport standout in football, baseball, and hockey at the Prep, Frates played four years in center field at Boston College and captained the BC Eagles as a college senior in 2007, graduating with a bachelor's degree in communications. He was diagnosed with the disease in March 2012, at the age of 27. A Catholic Conference All-Star in football and baseball at the Prep, Frates was part of two conference championship teams in each sport and also earned Catholic Conference Honorable Mention recognition in ice hockey. He resides in Beverly with his wife, Julie, and their three-year-old daughter, Lucy.
