McGraw-Jennings Field Complex
Soccer/Lacrosse Field
The McGraw-Jennings soccer and lacrosse field has been home of the men's and women's soccer teams since the beginning of Bonnies' men's soccer in 1961. Women's lacrosse, which was elevated to varsity status in 2000, also plays on this field.
Located just behind the Reilly Center, the natural grass field is the central part of the University's vast outdoor sports complex. The soccer/lacrosse field includes bleachers and a press box on the north side of the field and nearby parking for convenient access to the spectator seating areas.
In 2002, concrete block team benches were constructed to better accommodate the Bonnies and visiting teams.
McGraw-Jennings Baseball Field
McGraw-Jennings Field has served as the home of Bonnies baseball since the inception of the program.
The field features a natural grass surface, dugouts and press box. Its dimensions are 330 feet down the left and right field foul lines, 367 power alleys and 403 feet to straight away center field.
The Buffalo News named McGraw-Jennings one of the 10 most beautiful settings to watch a baseball game in New York State; with views of the "Enchanted Mountains" behind the outfield fences, it is easy to see why.
The Field is named in honor of John McGraw and Hugh Jennings, who coached at St. Bonaventure and went on to Hall of Fame careers in Major League Baseball. McGraw played for the Baltimore Orioles (1891-1899), St. Louis Cardinals (1900), Orioles (1901-1902) and the New York Giants (1902-1906). He went on to achieve greater fame as a manager, serving as skipper for the Baltimore Orioles (1899-1902) and then for 30 years with the New York Giants (1902-1932). Under McGraw's leadership, the Giants won 10 pennants and three championships. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in 1937.
Hughie Jennings starred as a standout shortstop before making a successful transition to manager. Jennings captained Baltimore to four straight appearances (1894 to 1897) in the 19th century Temple Cup world championship series. He led league shortstops in fielding average three times and batted .314 over a 17-year big league career. He managed 16 seasons in the majors, and in his first three years (1907 to 1909), Detroit captured successive American League pennants. His distinctive "Ee-yah" yell of encouragement from the coaching box became his trademark.
Softball Field
Since Mike Threehouse took over as head coach in 1997, the McGraw-Jennings Softball Field has undergone extensive renovations to make it one of the top softball facilities in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
In the summer of 2002, the field underwent a complete regrading and reconstruction. The infield now includes state-of-the-art Diamond Tech infield soil and the outfield features a new sod surface, a warning track and a retractable fence. These changes, along with new watering and drainage systems, are geared to keep the field at peak playing condition.
Previous additions to the facility included a press box with sound system, bleachers, two dugouts, bullpens, batting cages and a full infield tarp.
