Hall of Fame
President Kevin Sullivan served Medaille College for nearly 30 years (1971-2001). He began as a member of the Medaille College Advisory Board, followed by distinguished service on the College's Board of Trustees; he was Chairperson for several terms. Finally, he was appointed President of Medaille College in 1987. His devotion to the College and dedication to making the institution a vital force in the revitalization of the City of Buffalo and Western New York are reflected in the many community awards he received during his tenure.
His vision for the future of Medaille included enhanced enrollment, expanded and diversified academic curriculum, and new facilities for student activities, recreation and intercollegiate sports. The opening of the Sullivan Center in 1995, along with the creation of on-campus soccer, lacrosse and softball fields behind the Main Building the following year, laid the foundation for Medaille's intercollegiate athletic program. At each step of the way, President Sullivan was instrumental in recruiting student-athletes, bringing aboard coaches and graduate assistants to run the program, and leading the College to conference moves from National Small College Athletic Association to NCAA Division III and, eventually, the AMCC. He, his wife, Ginny, and their grandchildren were frequent supporters at home double-headers. They followed closely as in its second year of existence Medaille was already playing for a National Small College Athletic Association basketball championship in Salina, Kansas.
A starting pitcher for Dartmouth College with major league aspirations, injuries forced him to settle for highly successful careers in banking and higher education administration. He never lost the passion for sports, especially baseball, and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Those working at Medaille during those years remember that President Sullivan would always pitch the first few innings of the student/faculty softball games. President Sullivan's love of sports and personal experience as a student-athlete gave him a deep desire to see the dream of intercollegiate athletics at Medaille become a reality.
There are many individuals who deserve recognition for the tremendous success of Medaille's athletic program from 1995-2018, including the other members of the initial Hall of Fame class. However, it was one man who truly made this possible. It is also fitting that we honor a remarkable president to lead four of our finest student-athletes into the Medaille College Hall of Fame.
Upon notification of President Sullivan's selection for the Medaille Hall of Fame, his devoted spouse and cheerleader Ginny remarked: "Kevin is sitting up there in heaven dressed in his Red Sox uniform saying, 'Thanks from the bottom of my heart. This is one of my most cherished honors.'"
