Irish alums form their own chapter
Maureen McKew

Nearly 160 years ago, when Villanova University opened its doors, many of the first students were children of Irish immigrants escaping the starvation and poverty of post-famine Ireland. About 100 years later, through the genius and foresight of Villanova’s incomparable track coach, Jumbo Elliott, another group of young Irish scholars received athletic scholarships. This assistance enabled them to earn bachelor’s degrees while becoming some of the most dazzling track stars in the history of the sport.

Beginning with Jimmy Reardon, John Joe Barry and Cummin Clancy, all three members of class of ‘53, and continuing to the late Noel Carroll ’65, Sonia O’Sullivan ‘92 and most recently to Geraldine McCarthy ‘01, the Villanova pipeline, as it has come to be known, has prospered. The Irish Villanovans have won Olympic gold and silver medals, as well as dozens of American, European and world championships. For a number of years, they had a virtual lock on the prestigious Wanamaker Mile. Between Ron Delaney ‘58, Eamonn Coghlan ’76 and Marcus O’Sullivan ‘84 (Villanova’s current track and field coach), the Irish Villanovans won the Wanamaker Mile 16 times.

As the accompanying story details, this is the stuff of legends. However, the story doesn’t stop at athletics. Many of the Irish track stars who brought honor to Villanova have gone home to help turn Ireland’s economy, for so long the charity case of Europe, into a Celtic Tiger.

Therefore, it came as no surprise to Gary S. Olsen ‘74, ‘80, assistant vice president for Alumni Affairs, when a little over a year ago, he was contacted by Ron Delaney and Stephen G. Keaveney ‘86, an American living in Ireland and working for Whirlpool Corporation. "We had some discussions about establishing an Irish chapter of the Alumni Association," Olsen said, "and I sent them some materials. Several months ago, they came back with a plan to charter the chapter with a gala dinner in Dublin."

On March 26, the dinner took place and the word gala proved to be an understatement.

Practically every living Villanova pipeline alum was present at the Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin to welcome the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A. 58, University president, along with Marcus O’Sullivan, Whitey Rigsby ’78, director of the Block V Club (the University’s booster club), and Olsen, who presented a formal charter to Ron Delaney, the chapter president.

More than 300 Irish admirers and supporters, including Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Aherne, T.D., also were present. Among the leading sponsors were Whirlpool Ireland, Grants of Ireland, R.T.E. Television Sports, and Waterford Crystal. Also lending their prestige were The Irish Time, The Irish Independent, Irish Runner, AIB Bank, Captain Americas, Electrical Review, Mutual of America, the Olympic Council of Ireland, and the Villanova Athletic Department. Both the taoiseach and the University president addressed the gathering.

Father Dobbin took home many memories, but what he treasured most, he said after his return, was the pride that the Irish alums took in their alma mater. "They were proud to be at the gala, but also proud of the connections we have forged through our Irish Augustinian heritage, the ongoing support of Irish Americans through the years, and by our continuing cultivation of the connection. We have the Irish Studies Program and the Charles A. Heimbold Jr. Chair in Irish Studies. Some of Ireland’s most famous contemporary poets and writers visit our campus regularly, either as guest speakers or as scholars in residence through the Heimbold Chair."

When Father Dobbin relayed this to the gala guests, dropping the names of poets such as Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley and Peter Fallon, the reaction from the audience led him to suggest facetiously that a young man or women might get a better education about Ireland by coming to Villanova.

This was Father Dobbin’s first trip to Ireland in about 15 years and he marveled at the country’s new affluence, the restoration of the city of Dublin and, most of all, its brilliant young population. "The great thing about Ireland is the way they have developed their young people through their higher education system," he explained. "Years ago, they made a commitment to educate a workforce and this is the reason they are so popular with all the high tech corporations. They are a highly intelligent, superbly educated workforce. You can’t beat that."

The Irish alumni chapter members has already begun studying ways to contribute to the future of the University which gave them their start. "We really want to be part of the alumni movement," said Delaney in a recent phone call from Dublin. "We want to be informed and supportive and put something back into Villanova. Obviously, with the weight of athletes and athlete-scholars in this chapter, we will desire to support the athletic program, but we also want to put some resources into the academic program, particularly Irish studies."

‘It is not surprising that Villanova is known primarily in Ireland for its track history. However, we would like to widen the focus, if you will, so that it is also known here for the great educational establishment that is."

Olsen expects that the chartering of this new chapter will result in increased two way traffic in the Villanova pipeline. In October, for example, the Villanova Jazz and Concert Band will be visiting Ireland at the same time as Dr. Murphy. The new alumni chapter will use this occasion to strengthen the Celtic ties that bind this University and Ireland.

For more information about the new Irish Alumni chapter and all the other activities sponsored by the Villanova Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs, log onto www.alumni.villanova.edu.