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Boston College has received a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor to endow its men’s ice hockey head coaching position held by Jerry York. The largest gift ever in support of a BC athletics team, the donation pays tribute to York, a 1967 Boston College graduate, who is among the most successful coaches in all of NCAA sports, with five NCAA championships — including this year’s — and 913 wins during his storied career.
“We are most grateful and pleased to announce this magnificent commitment,” said Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo. “The donor’s generosity honors Jerry York and the great legacy of men’s ice hockey and its coaches at the Heights, and ensures that we will be able to attract great coaches long into the future.”
In addition to being the largest gift to a BC athletics team, the $5 million donation is the first coaching endowment received at any Hockey East member institution. The donor cited a long love for BC hockey, admiration for Jerry York and his leadership, and the belief that BC athletics plays an integral role in maintaining a vibrant and engaging university as the catalysts for his gift.
“I am humbled and honored to lead a program where its alumni care so deeply about our commitment to excellence and developing our student-athletes as men and women for others,” said York. “This gift signals that BC hockey will continue to be competitive for years to come. It is certainly our hope that others will follow this lead and help BC hockey to become fully endowed.”
The gift is credited towards Boston College’s “Light the World Campaign,” which has raised nearly $900 million to date in pursuit of its $1.5 billion goal. More than $150 million of this total has been designated to athletics facilities, scholarships and programs.
Endowing key coaching positions has been a major priority for athletics during the campaign. Also included among the funding priorities are endowments in support of key positions on BC’s 31 varsity teams, fully and partially endowed athletics scholarships, current-use funding through the Flynn Fund and facility enhancements.
Through the generosity of alumni, parents and friends, 30 endowed funds currently exist to support men’s ice hockey at Boston College. These endowment proceeds are directed towards scholarship support and operating expenses.
Under direction of York, the men’s ice hockey team has won four of its five national championships, competed in eight national championship games and 10 Frozen Fours, and qualified for the NCAA tournament 13 times. This year’s team won the Beanpot Tournament and the Hockey East regular season and tournament championships before winning its third NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship in five years.
Boston College’s hockey tradition extends far beyond the college game. In the previous 26 years, 13 Eagles have been selected in the first round of the National Hockey League’s entry draft. There are 18 former Eagles currently playing in the NHL.
The BC Men’s Hockey website is http://www.bceagles.com/sports/m-hockey/bc-m-hockey-body.html