Chamberlin Practice Field Dedicated Thursday at BC

Dave O'Connor '86 and his freshman hallmates from Boston College have had football season tickets since they graduated. Over the years, they have watched many BC greats play, and Dave remembers cheering on one of those stars in particular, Frank Chamberlin '00, who played at BC from 1996 to 1999.

"Frank was the epitome of the BC student-athlete to me," Dave said. "They tend to be very bright, and they tend to be well-rounded individuals who are service-oriented off the field. But, on the field, they're extremely competitive."

Frank, a computer science major, was from Dave's home state of New Jersey and was an outstanding scholar-athlete. His competitive drive led him to the NFL, where he played for six seasons. Off the field, he married his high school sweetheart, Lisa, and they had three daughters. When he was ready to retire from football, Frank looked to expand his network and pursued a job in the financial industry. Through a mutual connection, he was introduced to Dave, who helped him launch his second career at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

Frank excelled at his job, rising through the ranks to the VP level within several years. A hard worker, he was the first one to arrive in the office and the last one to leave. He read diligently and had a great sense for market trends.

Dave and Frank's companies frequently collaborated, and they became friends who spent time together outside the office. Their families got to know each other, too, even going to concerts together.

In 2011, Frank was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away at the age of 35, and the BC community mourned the loss of an alumnus, a student-athlete, and a man for others.

"Fish Field House is promoting the principle of 'ever to excel,' which Frank represented," Dave said. "It's an honor to recognize him in this facility and to share this space with his family."

Dave, a University Trustee who is serving his third term on the Board, enlisted the support of many former football players, who also made a gift to Fish Field House in honor of Frank's legacy.

Chamberlin Practice Field is the direct result of the investment of Dave and his wife Maureen; their family; and all those who contributed toward this special space that bears Frank's name and helps his legacy at Boston College to live on.

"Our family is deeply grateful to the O'Connors and the Boston College community for coming together to honor Frank's memory in such a special and lasting way," said Lisa Chamberlin, Frank's wife. "The Chamberlin Practice Field is a perfect symbolic match, since Frank believed in hard work above all, day in and day out, in order to achieve success. During his four years as an Eagle, he loved nothing more than hitting the practice field with his BC teammates, who became like a family to him. It is impossible to overstate the impact that Boston College had on Frank's life, as he maintained a strong connection to his alma mater long after he graduated."

"Frank's three daughters are immensely proud to know that his legacy will live on at Boston College through this field, and are inspired to follow their own dreams, as he did, with passion, dedication, and, of course, practice."

In addition to supporting Fish Field House, Dave and Maureen have contributed to student scholarships through Pops on the Heights, the Wall Street Council Tribute Dinner, and the Flynn Fund. They have generously endowed the O'Connor Chair in the Carroll School of Management and the O'Connor Family Pops on the Heights Graduate Fellowship in the Connell School of Nursing. Dave and Maureen served as co-chairs of the hugely successful 25th anniversary of Pops on the Heights: The Barbara and Jim Cleary Scholarship Gala, and Dave also served as a member of the Wall Street Council Executive Committee and as chair of the Wall Street Council Tribute Dinner and of the Athletics Director's Resource Council.

Chamberlin Practice Field Dedicated Thursday at BC

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