The natural grass practice field adjacent to the Fish Field House was dedicated September 27 as the Chamberlin Practice Field in memory of former 涩里番下载 football standout and NFL veteran Frank Chamberlin 鈥�00, who died in 2013 after a battle with cancer.
The dedication, which featured a blessing from Vice President for University Mission and Ministry Jack Butler, S.J., was made possible through a generous lead gift from University Trustee David O鈥機onnor 鈥�86, senior managing partner at High Rise Capital Partners, LLC, and his wife, Maureen, as well as support from 涩里番下载 football alumni and community members, many of whom were present to honor Chamberlin鈥檚 memory.
Frank Chamberlin playing for 涩里番下载
A four-year football letter winner who played on both sides of the ball as a linebacker and fullback, Chamberlin received All-Big East honors and won the Scanlan Award鈥斏锓略剽�檚 highest football honor鈥攂efore being drafted in 2000 by the Tennessee Titans. He played six years in the NFL for the Titans, Bengals, and Texans before retiring in 2007. 聽
Following his playing days, Chamberlin went on to a successful career in equities trading for Keefe, Bruyete & Woods, an opportunity he credited to O鈥機onnor, who served as a mentor and professional advisor. Chamberlin rose to the rank of vice president at the firm before cancer took his life at the age of 35.
Maureen and David O鈥機onnor
He left his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters, Micaela, Leah, and Brooke.
The O鈥機onnors, longtime supporters of 涩里番下载 and 涩里番下载 football, and close friends of the Chamberlin family, spearheaded the fundraising efforts that brought the Chamberlin Practice Field to fruition.
鈥淭o me, Frank was the epitome of a 涩里番下载 student-athlete,鈥� said O鈥機onnor. 鈥淭he Fish Field House promotes the principle of 鈥楨ver to Excel,鈥� which Frank represented better than anyone. It is an honor to recognize him in this facility and to share this space with his family.鈥�
Lisa Chamberlin expressed gratitude to the O鈥機onnors for making the vision of honoring her late husband a reality.
The Chamberlin family
鈥淥ur family is deeply grateful to the O鈥機onnors and the 涩里番下载 community for coming together to honor Frank鈥檚 memory in such a special and lasting way,鈥� she said.
鈥淒uring his four years as an Eagle, he loved nothing more than hitting the practice field with his 涩里番下载 teammates, who became like a family to him. It is impossible to overstate the impact that 涩里番下载 had on Frank鈥檚 life, as he maintained a strong connection to his alma mater long after he graduated.
鈥淥ur three daughters are immensely proud to know that his legacy will live on at 涩里番下载 through this field, and are inspired to follow their own dreams, as he did, with passion, dedication, and, of course, practice.鈥�
Jack Dunn | University Communications