NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. — The Niagara University community celebrated the unveiling of the newly renovated John P. Bobo Field as the Purple Eagles opened their home schedule on Saturday, April 7.
Thomas Burns, Niagara’s Associate Vice President for Public Relations, Communications and Marketing, opened the pregame ceremony with a reflection of the field’s namesake, John P. Bobo. Bobo (’65), a Medal of Honor recipient and a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, was mortally wounded in the Vietnam War. Burns also read a letter from New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, which included his congratulations for the historic day.
President Emeritus Rev. Joseph J. Levesque, C.M., and Vincentian confreres gave a blessing of the field, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, which included elected officials, Niagara University Board of Trustees members, university administration, current and former baseball players and the siblings of John P. Bobo.
Ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by Niagara University President Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Board of Trustees and baseball alumnus John Rumschik, President of the International Alumni Association and baseball alumnus Frank Fiannaca, baseball alumnus Ed Warnke, Niagara University Senior Vice President for Operations and Finance Mary Borgognoni, New York State Assemblyman Anjelo Morinello, New York State Senator Robert Ortt, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and siblings of John P. Bobo.
The Niagara University Army ROTC Color Guard, joined by members of the 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo Detachment 1118 out of Niagara Falls, presented the colors and the American and Canadian national anthems were performed by Niagara senior Kayla Storto.
Countless Niagara baseball alumni were in attendance as Niagara split a doubleheader with Iona on opening day.
The Purple Eagles return to Bobo Field on Tuesday, April 10 to host St. Bonaventure for a doubleheader at 2:00 p.m.