Saint Joseph's (Maine) Larry Mahaney Diamond Receives ABCA/TURFACE Field Maintenance Award

STANDISH, ME – The American Baseball Coaches Association has announced that Saint Joseph’s College has been awarded the 2008 College Division ABCA/TURFACE Field Maintenance Award for Larry Mahaney Diamond. The prestigious honor is granted on a yearly basis to one college recipient across all divisions that has shown outstanding maintenance programs in both infield and turf care. Along with the award, Saint Joseph’s will receive one ton of TURFACE MVP infield conditioner and $400 to be spent on maintenance equipment.

To be nominated for the honor, programs across the country sent in a photograph of their field and a paragraph detailing budget, amount of games played and a listing of the people responsible for maintenance. Past winners of the award include Babson College (MA), Shorter College (GA) and Clemson University (SC).

The “Home of the Monks” was built in 1986 and dedicated in honor of Maine businessman and philanthropist Larry Mahaney in 2001. Head Coach Will Sanborn '86 and Athletic Facilities Manager Jason Chisholm have spent countless hours developing the complex into one of the finest collegiate baseball facilities in the country. The development of Larry Mahaney Diamond would not have been possible without the support of the institution, generous alumni donations, and most importantly, the hard work of the players and coaches throughout the years.

Larry Mahaney’s association with Saint Joseph’s College began in 2001 – and his support helped take the facility to a new level. An outstanding basketball player at the University of Maine in the early fifties, Larry Mahaney went on to coach basketball and football at the high school level. As he became one of Maine’s most successful entrepreneurs, most notably as the president of Webber Energy, he continued his generous support of athletics in the Pine Tree state. In 1997, Larry Mahaney was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001, Saint Joseph’s College recognized his support of the institution by renaming its baseball field Larry Mahaney Diamond. Many improvements ensued, including a new outfield fence, infield tarp, upgraded lights and a brick backstop. Larry Mahaney passed away in 2006, leaving a strong legacy in Maine athletics, along with the baseball facility that bears his name at Saint Joseph’s College.

Larry Mahaney Diamond boasts many amenities, including an in-ground irrigation system, Nevco 10-inning scoreboard, wooden outfield fence, full infield tarp, 10 bullpen mounds, two batting tunnels, 12 stations for toss and “T” drills, fully-equipped press box with public address system, 500-seat bleacher area, concession stand and alumni box overlooking the third base dugout.

With continual improvement of the complex being a key component of Coach Sanborn’s philosophy, it’s no surprise that Mahaney Diamond has reached elite status. Recent improvements include the addition of crushed red brick to the concourse and warning track areas (2008), full infield turf renovation (2005) and an expansion of the on-field locker room (2003).

Larry Mahaney Diamond has been the host site for many prestigious baseball tournaments, including the Maine State High School Baseball Tournament, New England Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament, Maine American Legion Baseball Tournament, NAIA New England Tournament, the NAIA Super Regional Tournament and the North Atlantic Conference Baseball Tournament. In 2009, Saint Joseph’s will host the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament at Mahaney Diamond.

The Saint Joseph’s baseball program has traditionally been one of the strongest in New England, and the Monks have reaffirmed their position as an elite team in the region in the last four years. During this span, St. Joe’s has captured four conference crowns and made three trips to the NCAA Regionals with an overall record of 124-52-1 (.705) and a 67-15 (.817) record at Larry Mahaney Diamond.

The American Baseball Coaches Association and TURFACE will present the award to Head Coach Will Sanborn and Athletic Facilities Manager Jason Chisholm at their annual Honors Luncheon at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina on January 4th, 2009.

The American Baseball Coaches Association has existed for 61 years and is the largest organization of baseball coaches in the world with over 6,200 members. The organization includes NCAA I, II & III, NAIA, Junior College and High School Coaches.

Courtesy: Saint Joseph's College of Maine Athletic Communications