Staten Island Advance Article

Staten Island, NY – Over 100 people were on hand on Saturday, August 21 at the Wagner Baseball Practice Field for the presentation of the renovated batting cages dedicated in memory of Richard “Rusty” E. McGivney, '95 through his Memorial Fund.

Proceeds from the Rusty McGivney Memorial Fund supported the renovation, including concreting and turfing the batting cages. McGivney's family also personally donated a state-of-the-art pitching machine.

McGivney played his final season of college baseball for the Green & White in 1994 after spending three years at Seton Hall before embarking on a career as a financial consultant and assistant coach. The 1989 Monsignor Farrell High School graduate passed away in 1999 following a sudden illness.

“The ceremony went real well … It was a great tribute to a fine young man who saw his life end prematurely,” said Wagner head coach Joe Litterio. “This new facility will help to keep the memory of Rusty going to generations of future Seahawks.”

The turfing and cementing of the batting cages will help to alleviate harsh East Coast weather conditions that previously hindered practice. Before when it rained or snowed, the cages would get muddy and unusable. Now with the upgrades, the facility can be used year round.

“This is probably the most vital upgrade to our practice facilities since I have been here … It was an extraordinary gift that will provide immediate dividends,” said Litterio. “I also would like to personally thank the McGivney family for the pitching machine … the gift did wonders with our cages and then to have the pitching machine added to the donation was amazing.”

Graduate student outfielder Joe Conforti (Staten Island, NY), who like McGivney graduated from Farrell, remarked that he would make sure to brief the younger players about Rusty and the dedication so as to pass the story down and keep his legacy alive.