UMaine is lauding yet-another massive cash haul from a former Black Bear who is now the multi-millionaire vice chairman of the Boston Red Sox.
But Phillip Morse’s $20 million gift comes in exchange for the donor’s immortality – Morse’s big checks require a new building be enshrined as Morse’s Arena and that sports programs carry his family’s name.
The latest Red Sox exec’s bequest to his alma mater is his family’s second $10 million check, the first $10 million being written four years ago.
The initial $10 million “secured naming rights to Morse Arena and Chappelle Court, expected to be completed during the 2027-28 basketball season,” school officials said in a press release.
UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy cited Morse’s latest “transformative commitment that will support current and future capital athletics projects and facility maintenance, as well as efforts to recruit and retain talented student-athletes, coaches and staff while sustaining Maine excellence.”
Morse, class of 1964, played baseball at the college, one of his teammates being Skip Chappelle, still a lifelong friend for whom a basketball court will be named.
“It’s a privilege for me to continue to provide financial support to assist in enhancing the campus and athletics footprint at UMaine,” Morse said. “I have so many wonderful memories from my time in Orono and remain close with several friends I first met back in the early 1960s at the university.”
Morse’s financial commitment will establish the endowed Morse Arena, Alfond Stadium and Alfond Arena Endowment Fund, providing long-term support for the maintenance and enhancement of those facilities, Ferrini-Mundy said.
A portion of the money will also create the Morse Recruitment and Retention Fund, which will help recruit coaches and staff, as well as the Morse Baseball Support Fund, which will provide resources for travel, projects, and other baseball program needs.
Morse’s wealth will also launch the Morse Capital Needs Fund for UMaine athletics projects, including a new turf surface at, of course, Morse Field.
Phillip and wife Susan Morse made a $1 million gift in 2021 to support the Athletics Facilities Master Plan as part of the private fundraising campaign supporting the Alfond Challenge.
The Morses pledged $1 million in 2007 to upgrade the playing surface at Morse Field at Alfond Sports Stadium, and $800,000 in 2013 to install a high-definition video scoreboard.
Morse, vice chairman of the Boston Red Sox since 2004 and a partner since 2002, resides in Lake George, New York, and Jupiter, Florida.
Morse at UMaine majored in sociology, lettered in baseball, and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
He founded North American Instrument Corporation in 1969, pioneering the development of the first transparent fluid delivery system for coronary angiography, the Morse Manifold.
By 1994, the firm had grown into NAMIC U.S.A. Corporation, an 800-employee manufacturer of medical devices for interventional cardiology and radiology.
Morse served as chairman until its sale to Pfizer, Inc. in 1995.
