BC Honors Trustee Harrington with Dedication Ceremony

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College will honor University Trustee John L. Harrington with the dedication of the Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields – the Brighton Campus home of BC's new baseball, softball and intramural fields – on Saturday, April 14.

The dedication ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. and will feature an appearance by Harrington, the former CEO of the Boston Red Sox. University President William P. Leahy, SJ, Yawkey Foundations President James P. Healey '75, P'05 and Martin Jarmond, the William V. Campbell Director of Athletics at BC, also will give remarks.

Following the dedication and first-pitch ceremonies, the BC softball team will take on Florida State at 2:30 p.m. while the baseball team hosts Wake Forest at 3 p.m. Both BC teams will also host Alumni Day as all former players are invited to attended pregame events and celebrations.

BC fans are invited to participate in FanFest, starting at 1 p.m., which includes inflatables, face painting, games and prizes. Concessions will be available before and during the games as well.

The Harrington Athletics Village – made possible through the generosity of Harrington and his family as well as other donors – encompasses the three fields, situated between St. Clement's Hall and Lake Street, as well as a one-story support building that provides restrooms and concessions space.

"This honor for me and my family is over the moon," said Harrington. "I started at Boston College in 1953, just 65 years ago, and as I passed through the many stages of my life, from military service to marriage and family, and careers, I realize that my heart and mind were always inbedded in Boston College, mainly because of the gifts that the Jesuits gave to me and my family from the very start.

"As I grow older and reflect on where I stand and the many good opportunities I was afforded, I always end up reflecting on my days at Boston College, with my teachers, classmates and old friends – along with my family – who helped to hold me together in difficult times. I am truly grateful."

Jarmond said the naming of the Harrington Athletics Village is a tribute to Harrington's legacy of support to BC and in particular his dedication to and investment in the baseball program.

"We are honored to recognize John Harrington as we advance our baseball and softball programs," said Jarmond. "This facility is a game-changer for our teams. The Harrington family's support of Boston College, and especially our athletics program, is another example of the pride so many of our alumni, parents and friends have for this University and our unwavering commitment to uphold our standards of competitive excellence and academic achievement."

Head baseball coach Mike Gambino is not only grateful for Harrington's commitment to the facility in Brighton, but his commitment to the baseball program as a whole.

"The dedication and support of our program from Mr. Harrington dates back decades," Gambino said. "It goes far beyond financial support. From the game against the Red Sox, to the use of Fenway Park for the Beanpot, ALS Game and Baseball Night in Boston, many of the traditions in the Boston College baseball program would not be possible without him. Mr. Harrington's steady and unwavering support of this program has been paramount to the development of our players and their futures. With him, the program would not be where it is. Our successes in the past and those to come in the future can, in part, be contributed to Mr. Harrington and his generosity."

Ashley Obrest, head softball coach, notes how much the Harrington Athletics Village has impacted the program.

"The Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields has allowed our program to have a true home," Obrest said. "There is a new sense of energy, passion and pride simply by walking onto the field. To the Harrington family, along with every other donor who has made this village possible, as well as Father Leahy, we want to say, 'thank you.' Thank you for showing our young ladies what Boston College stands for and what Boston College values. This is, without a doubt, a game changer!"

Well-known for his accomplished career as a baseball executive, Harrington is equally celebrated for his devotion to Boston College and his generous work in charitable circles.

A native of Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, Harrington was a commissioned officer in the US Navy for four years after graduating from BC. He worked at the Government Accountability Office and NASA before returning to Boston College for his MBA, then studied to become a CPA. After teaching at BC for four years as a full-time assistant professor of accounting, Harrington entered professional baseball in 1970 as controller of the American League. In 1973, he began his long association with the Red Sox as team treasurer; he was CEO and general partner from 1986 to 2002.

In addition to supporting the Harrington Athletics Village, Harrington and his family have been longtime supporters of BC Athletics, providing scholarship funds for student-athletes and Pops on the Heights scholars.

A Boston College trustee from 1998-2006, Harrington continues to serve as a trustee associate. He was also elected president of the Boston College Alumni Association and received the William V. McKenney Award, the Alumni Association's highest honor, and the association's John P. Curley '13 Award, honoring a volunteer whose commitment has advanced the efforts of BC and especially the Athletic Department. He was presented with an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree at Commencement in 2010.

Harrington and his wife Maureen are also BC parents – their children Debra, Brian and Sean all attended Boston College.

BC Honors Trustee Harrington with Dedication Ceremony

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