In Memoriam: Richard "Moe" Maloney '60

As a senior at the Heights, Mr. Maloney was a member of one of BC baseball’s most successful teams, which went to the 1960 College World Series in Omaha, making it through the first round before being eliminated. Thirty-nine years later, he would succeed his former coach Eddie Pellagrini as the Eagles’ mentor.

It was a homecoming in more ways than one. Mr. Maloney grew up in nearby Newton and, he recalled in a 1990 Boston College Magazine interview, lived close enough to BC that as a kid he would occasionally sneak into Eagles football games (he also admitted to jumping into the Chestnut Hill Reservoir). He had continued to live in Newton, along with his wife Marion and their children, and now he was working for his alma mater.

Before taking the helm at BC, Mr. Maloney had amassed many years of coaching experience, in basketball—which he also played while at the Heights—as well as baseball; his other stops included Boston State College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, St. Sebastian's Country Day School, and Bentley College (he also taught eighth grade at the Morse School in Cambridge for 30 years). This provided him with a sizeable network of friends and contacts in the school sports community, and an asset in recruiting, as then-Athletic Director Bill Flynn noted in a 1990 Boston College Magazine profile of Mr. Maloney: “He just seems to know everyone in the baseball world.”

Mr. Maloney did not lead BC back to the College World Series, but
during his 10 seasons at the helm the team compiled six 20-win seasons
and won three titles in the baseball version of the Beanpot Tournament.
Just as importantly, as a 1994 Heights story observed, Mr. Maloney
“created a tradition of baseball success” at a school where football,
basketball, and hockey occupied most of the spotlight.

 "This is the best coaching job in the country," Mr. Maloney told The Heights. "There are better money jobs, there are bigger programs, but this place is the best. This is the best school, and we get the best kids."

In 1998, Mr. Maloney retired as baseball coach, but not from BC. He became assistant director at the Boston College Neighborhood Center, a vital link in the University’s connection with area residents. Mr. Maloney helped create volunteer opportunities for BC student-athletes, through working with and teaching local elementary school students in their communities.

For example, as reported in a 1999 Boston College Chronicle story, the center teamed with other BC offices, the Brighton-based Commonwealth Tenants Association, and the Greater Boston Food Bank to start the Food for Families program, supplying some 200 needy Brighton residents with monthly bags of nutritionally balanced groceries. Mr. Maloney led monthly sessions where BC student-athletes, staff, and alumni assisted in packing up groceries that would be picked up by families or distributed by the BC volunteers to elderly residents. The BC athletes often would stay to play basketball or soccer with local youngsters.

"Moe Maloney was passionate about BC, baseball, and kids," said BC Neighborhood Center Director Maria DiChiappari. "Moe loved serving his alma mater and his commitment to the Allston, Brighton, Newton, and Boston College communities was steadfast. In his role at the Boston College Neighborhood Center for 20 years, he unceasingly sought out and created opportunities for student-athletes and neighborhood kids to connect and build meaningful relationships. With one of his beloved dogs, Seamus and then Teddy, by his side, Moe was a constant presence in the Allston Brighton community. Affectionately called 'Coach Moe' to many, Moe was well respected and represented Boston College everywhere he went with pride."

Boston College Athletics established the Richard "Moe" Maloney Award in his honor, presented to the top student-athlete or team who have utilized their abilities in unselfish service to others, creating a community of caring action. He was recognized by the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame with the Reverend William J. Donlon Special Achievement Award, and received the Francis Kirby Connelly Memorial Award, given to a member of the BC hockey community who best exemplifies the ideals of the Ignatian spirit of service to others.

 Mr. Maloney is survived by his wife; children Ann, Richard ’92, and Kara; and seven grandchildren.

Donations may be made in Mr. Maloney’s memory to the Peter "Sonny" Nictakis Baseball Scholarship Fund at BC or to the Peter Frates Family Foundation.