NEW YORK — Jim Houlihan (CBA ’74) and his family have pledged $1 million to Fordham University’s baseball program to name the newly renovated baseball complex Houlihan Park at Jack Coffey Field.
“We’ve been very blessed to have had a lot of success,” said Houlihan, managing partner of the Houlihan-Parnes/ICAP Realty Advisors, LLC, who was raised and educated in the Bronx along with his three brothers and two sisters. “[This] is a way to give back to the baseball program and the old neighborhood.”
Houlihan’s gift will support Fordham baseball in its efforts to establish and sustain a national recruiting program, provide additional resources for team travel and supplement equipment purchases that exceed the annual budget.
“The generous contribution of Jim Houlihan and his family will really enhance the experience of our student-athletes and our overall University community,” said Frank McLaughlin, Fordham’s executive director of intercollegiate athletics, who noted that Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, “has emphasized raising all levels of the University to excellence, including athletics. In order to achieve this goal, we need very strong and positive alumni response.”
Jack Coffey Field is currently undergoing a $4.3 million renovation, which includes a new drainage system, a new FieldTurf surface and lights for both the baseball and football fields. Additions to Houlihan Park include new bullpens, recessed dugouts, a 500-seat grandstand, a press box and a renovated entrance. The renovations, which are independent of the Houlihan family gift, are expected to be complete by the end of August.
The Houlihan family has strong roots at Fordham. Jim Houlihan pitched for the Rams from 1971 to 1973, and his brother Jack Houlihan (CBA ’75) was a catcher from 1972 to 1975. The Houlihan family gift honors Jim and Jack’s parents, Jim and Mary Murray Houlihan, D.S.W., (GSS ’49, ’86). The Houlihan and Fordham family tree also includes Claire O’Neill Houlihan (CBA ’77); Hon. Patrick W. Murray (FCRH ’57); John Thomas Murray (FCRH ’57) and the late Monsignor James J. Murray (FCRH ’48, LAW ’51). Ellen Houlihan is currently a full-time student at Fordham College at Rose Hill.
Last season, the baseball team finished 34-21, with a school-record 17 conference wins, and made it to its second consecutive appearance in the Atlantic 10 championship tournament. Established in 1860, the Fordham baseball program is the oldest active continually running intercollegiate baseball program in the nation.
In addition to football and baseball games, the new field will host the men’s and women’s soccer teams and will be available for the intramural and club sports programs.
