Adelphi University dedicated Motamed Field—home to the Panthers men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse teams and the women’s field hockey team—with a ceremony on Saturday, April 9, honoring esteemed alumnus and Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas F. Motamed ’71. The Board of Trustees adopted a resolution dedicating the field in honor of Mr. Motamed due to his unwavering commitment to and support for the University. In attendance were Adelphi University President Dr. Robert A. Scott and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Gayle D. Insler, as well as other members of the Board of Trustees, alumni, employees, current students, athletes, and friends.
Since graduation, Mr. Motamed’s involvement with Adelphi has only increased. Mr. Motamed has served the University with distinction since being elected to the Board in 2004. He was vice chair of the Advancement Committee from November 2005 until his election as chairman of the Board of Trustees in June 2008. He is a charter member of Adelphi’s Million Dollar Round Table, along with his wife Christine B. Motamed, and serves as co-chair of the Steering Committee for The Campaign for Adelphi University, the University’s $56 million comprehensive campaign. In addition, he has been a loyal and generous supporter of the Adelphi University Annual Fund.
Mr. Motamed is the chairman and chief executive officer of CNA Financial Corporation. Before joining CNA, he retired from his 31-year career at The Chubb Corporation where he began as a claims trainee and rose to serve as vice chairman and chief operating officer. Mr. Motamed holds a J.D. from Widener University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Adelphi University. Mr. Motamed serves as a director of the publicly traded company, Verisk Analytics. He is also on the board of directors of After School Matters and World Business Chicago, and was a member of the Chicago 2016 Committee.
“Tom [Motamed] has been a friend to the University beyond the norm,” proclaimed Adelphi President Dr. Robert A. Scott.
“To have something named after my family is certainly an honor and I am humbled by it. The great thing though is what [the field] is doing for students. I’m proud to be an Adelphi graduate. This is a gem of an institution,” said Mr. Motamed.
During his time at Adelphi, Mr. Motamed was captain and most valuable player of the men’s varsity lacrosse team. Even then, he showed formidable leadership ability and a strong commitment to teamwork. “Tom was a really active, great team player; he would do anything for the Adelphi team. You can’t have too many players on the team like him,” said Paul Doherty ’62, M.A. ’70, Motamed’s former Adelphi men’s lacrosse coach.
In regards to the dedication ceremony, Mr. Doherty expressed his pride in Mr. Motamed’s accomplishment. “This is something for all AU Panthers,” he said.
Mr. Motamed not only made a lasting impression on his coach, but on his teammates as well. Stan Sheie ’69, played two years of lacrosse with Mr. Motamed, and came all the way from his home in Minnesota for the ceremony. “I couldn’t miss this, it wasn’t even a question,” said Mr. Sheie.
Motamed Field is the centerpiece of the University’s world-class 100,000-square-foot outdoor stadium complex, completed in 2008. In May 2011, the field will be the site of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II and III Women’s Lacrosse National Championship tournament. “We’re really appreciative of the gift of the field,” said Robert Hartwell, assistant vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. “The athletic department has grown tremendously, and Tom [Motamed] has been so supportive.”
