(October 25, 2005) - The Fordham Family lost a treasured member today with the passing of Wellington Mara, co-owner of the New York Giants. He was 89.
A 1937 Fordham University graduate, Mara had been with the football Giants since serving as a ball boy at the age of nine after his father, Timothy J. Mara, purchased the team. He would remain involved with the team for the next 80 years, with the exception of the three years he served in the Navy during World War II.
Considered one of the greatest sports figures to ever graduate from Fordham, Mara became the youngest owner of a professional sports team when his father made him and his brother, Jack, co-owners of the Giants 1930 when Wellington was 14. He continued to run the day-to-day operations of the team until he handed the responsibility over to his son John several years ago.
A generous supporter of the Fordham University football program, Mara instituted the Mara Family Award which honors a Fordham alumnus who makes an outstanding contribution to the program. Mara presented the award to Herb Seidell FC ??50 at the annual Fordham Gridiron Club Dinner held at the New York Athletic Club last April.
Mara was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. He was an initial recipient of the prestigous University Founders Award at Fordham and was inducted into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey in 1995. He also received the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation in 1992.
??Wellington Mara was a true Fordham gentleman,?? said Fordham Executive Director of Athletics Frank McLaughlin. ??As a former student-athlete, coach and now administrator, I saw first hand Mr. Mara??s love for Fordham, our coaches, and above all, our student-athletes. Fordham will always treasure Wellington Mara and his family.??
Fordham will honor Mara with a moment of silence before the football game with Holy Cross on Saturday. The Rams will also honor Mara by wearing his initials ??WM?? on their helmets.
Mara is survived by his wife, Ann, 11 children and 40 grandchildren.
