STANDISH, ME - The American Baseball Coaches
Association has announced that Saint Joseph's College has been
awarded the 2008 College Division ABCA/TURFACE Field Maintenance
Award for Larry Mahaney Diamond. The prestigious honor is granted
on a yearly basis to one college recipient across all divisions.
Along with the award, Saint Joseph's will receive one ton of
TURFACE MVP infield conditioner and $400 to be spent on maintenance
equipment.
The "Home of the Monks" was built in 1986 and dedicated in honor of
Maine businessman and philanthropist Larry Mahaney in 2001. Head
Coach Will Sanborn ‘86 and Athletic
Facilities Manager Jason Chisholm have spent countless hours
developing the complex into one of the finest collegiate baseball
facilities in the country. The development of Larry Mahaney Diamond
would not have been possible without the support of the
institution, generous alumni donations, and most importantly, the
hard work of the players and coaches throughout the years.
Larry Mahaney's association with Saint Joseph's College began in
2001 - and his support helped take the facility to a new level. An
outstanding basketball player at the University of Maine in the
early fifties, Larry Mahaney went on to coach basketball and
football at the high school level. As he became one of Maine's most
successful entrepreneurs, most notably as the president of Webber
Energy, he continued his generous support of athletics in the Pine
Tree state. In 1997, Larry Mahaney was inducted into the Maine
Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, Saint Joseph's College recognized his
support of the institution by renaming its baseball field Larry
Mahaney Diamond. Many improvements ensued, including a new outfield
fence, infield tarp, upgraded lights and a brick backstop. Larry
Mahaney passed away in 2006, leaving a strong legacy in Maine
athletics, along with the baseball facility that bears his name at
Saint Joseph's College.
Larry Mahaney Diamond boasts many amenities, including an in-ground
irrigation system, Nevco 10-inning scoreboard, wooden outfield
fence, full infield tarp, 10 bullpen mounds, two batting tunnels,
12 stations for toss and "T" drills, fully-equipped press box with
public address system, 500-seat bleacher area, concession stand and
alumni box overlooking the third base dugout.
With continual improvement of the complex being a key component of
Coach Sanborn's philosophy, it's no surprise that Mahaney Diamond
has reached elite status. Recent improvements include the addition
of crushed red brick to the concourse and warning track areas
(2008), full infield turf renovation (2005) and an expansion of the
on-field locker room (2003).
Larry Mahaney Diamond has been the host site for many prestigious
baseball tournaments, including the Maine State High School
Baseball Tournament, New England Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament,
Maine American Legion Baseball Tournament, NAIA New England
Tournament, the NAIA Super Regional Tournament and the North
Atlantic Conference Baseball Tournament. In 2009, Saint Joseph's
will host the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament at
Mahaney Diamond.
The Saint Joseph's baseball program has traditionally been one of
the strongest in New England, and the Monks have reaffirmed their
position as an elite team in the region in the last four years.
During this span, St. Joe's has captured four conference crowns and
made three trips to the NCAA Regionals with an overall record of
124-52-1 (.705) and a 67-15 (.817) record at Larry Mahaney
Diamond.
The American Baseball Coaches Association and TURFACE will present
the award to Head Coach Will Sanborn and Athletic Facilities
Manager Jason Chisholm at their annual Honors Luncheon at the San
Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina on January 4th, 2009.