 Baseball Alumni gather in recognition of former Head Baseball Coach Gene McDonnell
Sept. 30, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, PA - On September 12, Gene McDonnell '55 was honored for his 36 years of dedication to the Explorers baseball clubhouse. On this night, alumni and friends of La Salle baseball gathered at the Radnor home of Temple Athletic Director, Bill Bradshaw '69 to celebrate McDonnell's career. Also in attendance at the reception were Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, Dr. Tom Brennan, Associate Athletic Director, Kale Beers, and Head Baseball Coach, Mike Lake. Prior to the reception, the Philadelphia Phillies honored McDonnell at Citizens Bank Park, where he threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Phillies took on the New York Mets. The evening at Bradshaw's home was a time to reunite for baseball alumni who played under McDonnell's tutelage. Alumni from as far as Los Angeles, CA, Houston, TX and Bangor, ME made the trip to Radnor. Positive energy abounded in the lively setting, as alumni reacquainted themselves with each other and traded their favorite stories of McDonnell's coaching years. In appreciation of McDonnell's accomplishments at La Salle, Bradshaw and Brennan presented McDonnell with a plaque and clock commemorating his career. Many attendees spoke of their special relationship with McDonnell and his impact on their lives. An emotional McDonnell expressed pride in the former athletes and excitement to hear about their successes in their professional and familial lives.
McDonnell's extensive coaching career began in 1959. During his reign, he managed his ball clubs to 22 winning seasons and 504 wins, more than any La Salle coach. 1985 was the marquee year in the McDonnell era. In that year, McDonnell brought the Explorers within one game of the NCAA College World Series. For his efforts, he was selected as the 1985 Diamond Baseball Coach of the Year and NCAA East Regional Coach of the Year. McDonnell also took La Salle to the NCAA Tournament in 1967, after capturing Big 5 titles in 1965 and 1966. In 1980, the Alumni Association and La Salle Athletics recognized McDonnell for his commitment to the baseball program by inducting him into the Coaches Corner of the Hall of Athletes. Two years removed from retirement in 1988 after 30 years of coaching, McDonnell decided to return to the Explorers in 1991 for another five seasons. Before his coaching years, McDonnell started at shortstop for La Salle in every inning of every game from 1953 through 1955. |
