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Hundreds of friends, family members, faculty, students and alumni took the trek to New Rochelle over the weekend, where the field was formally dedicated to the NFL Hall of Famer, complete with a plaque commemorating Wellington T. Mara Field that reads: “Once a Gael, always a Gael.”
The Mara family holds close ties with Iona Prep, where he had four sons and 10 grandchildren attend classes. Speaking on behalf of the his family – most of which was in attendance for the ceremony – New York Giants scout and Mara’s grandson, Tim McDonnell remembered his grandfather sitting under the pine tree watching the Gaels up until his death in 2005.
“Iona Prep, the Christian Brothers and Iona Prep athletics always held a special place in my grandparents’ life,” he said. “I had such a strong sense of pride and encouragement when I saw him here. It made me want to focus even more and do something in the game that would catch the old scout’s eye.”
Iona Prep President Brother Thomas Leto said that Mara’s legacy and support for the community, the school, and all he encountered on and off the football field made him an easy choice to dedicate the field for.
“It’s an honor to dedicate the field to Mr. Mara, a man who believed in working hard, and being strong – traits that we hold dear,” he said. “I want to thank the Mara family for not only supporting our mission, but for being living examples of it.”
The dedication ceremony was a star-studded event, with Grace Cashman – daughter of New York Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman – singing the national anthem, the Mara family and Giants officials in attendance. Prior to the event, Rev. Anthony Sorgie from Immaculate Conception and Assumption blessed Wellington T. Mara Field.
New York Giants President and CEO John Mara said that his father would have been humbled by such honors, and that Iona Prep has always been an important school for his family.
“I don’t think my father would have liked the attention; though he would have stayed under the tree back there,” he said. “But it’s a nice honor for the family and we’re very appreciate that Iona Prep would do this.”
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