Hobart and William Smith Colleges

31 October 2024 • Alums • Athletics Poole Family Names Hobart Head Soccer Coach Position

The generosity of Honorary Trustee Thomas B. Poole ’61, P’91, L.H.D. ’06 and Mary Jane Poole P’91 is the latest in a long history of philanthropy benefitting HWS.

Honorary Trustee Thomas B. Poole ’61, P’91, L.H.D. ’06 and Mary Jane Poole P’91 have named the head coach position for Hobart soccer. The $1 million dollar gift establishes in perpetuity The Thomas B. Poole ’61 and Family Head Coach of Hobart Soccer, created to honor two of the team’s legendary coaches: Ray Demuth, the inaugural coach of the Hobart soccer program who served as Poole’s coach, and Shawn Griffin P’24, the winningest coach in Hobart soccer history who has been at the helm for a quarter of a century.

The announcement of the gift was made at a gathering of the Board of Trustees and the entire coaching staff of Hobart and William Smith Athletics.

“Tom and Mary Jane embody what it means to lead lives of consequence,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “Throughout their lives, they have been dedicated to making certain that the communities they call home – whether at HWS or on Long Island – have the resources they need to thrive. Like so many others, I have benefitted tremendously from their advice and friendship, and I am so pleased that a sport that means so much to Tom will forever bear his name. On behalf of our entire campus community and the network of alumni across the country and around the world, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the Poole family.”

This is the latest in the Pooles’ decades-long commitment to supporting Hobart and William Smith that includes the major renovation and design of the Poole Family Admissions Center, the creation of the Tom Poole ’61 Soccer Team Room, and the construction of the Thomas B. Poole ’61 and Family Sports Dome. The naming of the head coaching position is especially meaningful because of Poole’s connection to Hobart soccer: as an economics major at Hobart, he earned four varsity letters in soccer and two in lacrosse. As a senior, Poole captained the 1960 Hobart soccer team that ended the season with a 6-1-1 record, the best in Hobart soccer history prior to the 1992 team going 15-0-1.

“We decided to do this now because of Griff,” Poole said at the gathering, referencing Griffin. “He represents 25 years of dedication to the sport at Hobart and has built it into a team that every year garners recognition, and produces kids that respect the game, and respect what athletics can do to help them in their life moving forward. Every student-athlete that I've ever watched at this school, they give it everything that they have every time they go on the pitch. And the one thing that never happens at this school, whether I watch William Smith play or I watch Hobart, the flag never touches the ground.”

At the event, Poole was presented with a soccer ball signed by the entire team.

“The Poole Family Sports Dome and countless other spaces and programs that people don't even know you've supported – all these contributions have impacted our lives,” Griffin said, addressing the Pooles. “We've been able to raise our families here, to have fulfilling lives, because of you. You make it special and I hope I can continue to keep the flag from touching the ground. We have a slogan in our team room that says, 'Teammates For Life’ and I think there's nobody that lives that any better than you and your family. You are our teammates for life.” 

For more than 35 years, Poole has served on the HWS Board of Trustees, for much of that time chairing the important Buildings and Grounds Committee. As a result, nearly every facilities improvement made on campus over four decades – from major renovations of historic structures to the construction of new buildings – has been influenced by Poole’s construction savvy and design sense. Before retiring in 2019, Poole was the chairman and CEO of Hallen Construction Company, Inc., on Long Island. Poole joined the company in 1964, following his graduation from Hobart and his Navy service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Under his leadership, Hallen grew to one of the most in-demand firms in New York City with a specialty in structural steel, utilities, telecommunications and site work. Among many other career distinctions, Poole has worked on every bridge in New York City. 

In 1995, he received Hobart’s William Napier Memorial Award for outstanding service to Hobart Athletics and the SAA, including support for the Robert A. Bristol Field House, the AstroTurf Stadium, the Napier Leadership Seminar, the John Topichak Memorial Team Room, and the Bob Ford Basketball Team Room. He received a citation from the Hobart Alumni Association in June 1986 and was inducted into the Hobart Statesmen Hall of Fame in October 2002.

In 2006, Poole was honored by Hobart and William Smith with an honorary degree for his achievements as business leader, his devotion to his family, the loyalty he exhibits to his many friends, and the extraordinary passion he has displayed for Hobart and William Smith through his longtime stewardship.

The Pooles, who are the parents of Shep ’91, Wendy, Leslie and Stacey, are inaugural members of HWS’ Seneca Society, which recognizes those individuals whose philanthropy to HWS exceeds $1 million.

Top: Mary Jane Poole P’91 and Honorary Trustee Thomas B. Poole ’61 pose for a picture with the Hobart Statesmen soccer team before their game against the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers.