(1888PressRelease)
August 28, 2008 - Stony Brook, N.Y. - The All-Star closer for the Minnesota Twins and Stony Brook graduate (BS '97) has made a $500,000 lead gift to the University’s Department of Athletics. In recognition of the sizeable gift, the State University of New York has announced that the new field will be named "Joe Nathan Field.”
"My experiences as a part of the Stony Brook athletics family helped get me to where I am today," remarked Nathan. "I feel extremely fortunate to be playing baseball as a professional athlete and feel strongly about supporting the growth of the Stony Brook baseball program. Coach (Matt) Senk has built an extremely successful program; one with which I'm very proud to be affiliated. I look forward to following and supporting our baseball program to even greater success in the years to come," he added.
While playing with the Stony Brook University Seawolves, Nathan was a two-time Academic All-American and was also inducted into the Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame in December 2006, when he also became the first former Stony Brook student-athlete to have his jersey number retired.
"Joe Nathan's generosity and leadership in making this wonderful gift underscores the importance of the spirit of philanthropy that is growing among our alumni," said Fiore. "As much as Joe was a talented collegiate athlete and a high achiever as a student; more importantly he is a remarkable human being. We are very proud of Joe and are thrilled to name our baseball field in his honor. It will serve as a lasting tribute to his continued love for his experience as a Stony Brook student-athlete," he added.
Nathan’s former coach, Matt Senk, added "Joe's support of our baseball program is greatly appreciated. He embodies all the core values we try to instill in our student-athletes; commitment, passion, pride, respect and swagger. Current and future Stony Brook baseball student-athletes will benefit from playing in a facility which Joe's gift will help build. Future Stony Brook recruits will be able to look forward to playing in one of the finest facilities in the northeast."
The donation is the first major endowment provided by the Joe Nathan Foundation, commonly referred to as Save-It. Last year, the foundation launched a Joe Nathan web site (www.JoeNathan.com). The site features a Joe Nathan blog. An RSS feed of the American League All-Star closer’s season and the latest photos of Joe and his teammates.
This month, the foundation will be offering merchandise for sale on the site. All proceeds from the sale of the autographed pictures, jerseys, shirts and caps will go directly to the “Save-It” foundation.
“Finding success as a major ball player has been terrific,” said Joe. “I have met so many wonderful fans during my college years on Long Island, minor league days down south, my time in San Francisco and of course, in Minnesota. The foundation gives my fans a chance to share in my success and for all of us to give back to our communities,” he said "Congratulations to Joe Nathan on his great successes while at Stony Brook as a student-athlete and as an all-star pitcher for the Minnesota Twins," said Richard Nasti, Chair of the Stony Brook Council. "His decision to share those successes with his alma mater, and for the University to name the field in his honor, is a cherished opportunity. I congratulate President Shirley StrumKenny, Director of Athletics Jim Fiore and Head Coach Matt Senk for sharing in this vision with Joe and helping to create a great opportunity for current and future baseball student-athletes at Stony Brook."
Joe Nathan Foundation
www.JoeNathan.com
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