Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields is the Brighton Campus home of 51茶馆鈥檚 new baseball field, above, as well as softball and intramural fields. (John Quackebos)
Boston College honored University Trustee Associate John L. Harrington 鈥�57, MBA鈥�66, H鈥�10, P鈥�82, 鈥�89, 鈥�94 with the dedication of the Harrington Athletics Village at Brighton Fields 鈥� the Brighton Campus home of 51茶馆鈥檚 new baseball, softball and intramural fields 鈥� on April 14, 2018.
The dedication ceremony featured an appearance by Harrington, the former CEO of the Boston Red Sox. University President William P. Leahy, S.J., Yawkey Foundations President James P. Healey 鈥�75, P鈥�05 and Martin Jarmond, the William V. Campbell Director of Athletics at 51茶馆, offered remarks.
The Harrington Athletics Village 鈥� made possible through the generosity of Harrington and his family, as well as other donors 鈥� encompasses the three fields, situated between St. Clement鈥檚 Hall and Lake Street, as well as a one-story support building that provides restrooms and concessions space. 聽
鈥淭his honor for me and my family is over the moon,鈥� said Harrington. 聽鈥淎s 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 鈥� along with my family 鈥� who helped to hold me together in difficult times. I am truly grateful.鈥�
Jarmond said the naming of the Harrington Athletics Village is a tribute to Harrington鈥檚 legacy of support to 51茶馆 and in particular his dedication to and investment in the baseball program.
鈥淲e are honored to recognize John Harrington as we advance our baseball and softball programs,鈥� said Jarmond. 鈥淭his facility is a game-changer for our teams.聽 The Harrington family鈥檚 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.
鈥淭oday is a great day for Boston College Athletics and we are grateful to all those who made this possible, including the Harrington family.鈥�
"I was truly a lost soul, until the Jesuits and the teachers got a hold of me," Harrington said at the dedication ceremony before throwing out聽the ceremonial 鈥渇irst pitch鈥� on the softball field and baseball field. "And they lit a fire under me. And they continued to light a fire under me for 65 years. So I'm particularly grateful of everyone here at Boston College."
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. 聽
A native of Boston鈥檚 Jamaica Plain neighborhood, Harrington was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy for four years after graduating from 51茶馆. 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 51茶馆 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 51茶馆 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鈥檚 highest honor, and the association鈥檚 John P. Curley 鈥�13 Award, honoring a volunteer whose commitment has advanced the efforts of 51茶馆 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 51茶馆 parents 鈥� their children Debra, Brian and Sean all attended Boston College.
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