FROM PRESS RELEASE
Bronx, N.Y. – (October 15, 2020) – It is with a heavy heart that Fordham Athletics has learned of the passing of Hall of Fame baseball coach Dan Gallagher on Wednesday night at the age of 84.
For 21 seasons, Gallagher guided the Fordham Baseball program posting a 518-468-10 record, good for second place on the school’s all-time wins list. With Gallagher reaching the 500-win plateau, Fordham is one of very few programs to have two coaches with 500 wins or better for that school joining the legendary Jack Coffey.
A member of the ABCA and Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame, Gallagher became the head coach of the Rams in 1984 and re-built Fordham baseball once again into one of the top programs in the Northeast, winning 11 championships from the MAAC, Patriot League, Atlantic 10 and ECAC, and reached the NCAA Championship five times.
“Today was a difficult day for Fordham Baseball. The legacy that Dan Gallagher has left at Fordham is unmatched, and when I think of Fordham Baseball, I think of Dan Gallagher,” said current head coach Kevin Leighton. “I got to know Skip over the years and he certainly had a tough exterior. But the more I got to know him, the more he opened up to me, I learned that he had an enormous heart. There’s no doubt Skip was hard on his players and I know he didn’t say it often, but in our conversations, he often told me how much he loved his players, how much he missed them, and how much he appreciated them. Skip, Fordham Baseball will miss you, and we will push ourselves each day to live up to the legacy that you left.”
For all the on the field success, award winners, MLB draft picks, and Hall of Famers that came through Rose Hill, a number of players credit Gallagher for teaching them important life lessons, which created bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.
“We had talent all over the roster, and we were all the same type of player, and I think that’s a credit to Skip (Dan Gallagher),” said Fordham Hall of Famer Pete Harnisch, during Fordham’s “On This Date” series, back in May. “I love him to death and he galvanized us into getting better every year.”
“He taught us how to be adults and prepare us for life,” said Scott Wasserfall, a senior pitcher on the 1987 baseball team.
“If it wasn’t for the players, I would have never been elected into the ABCA,” explained Gallagher during his induction in 2013. “Every player, not only in my program, is a dreamer. They all want to play professional ball, but my job was to get them prepared and turn everyone into a team. Everyone comes from different walks of life. I used to change the rooming list every game, so all the ball players got to know each other. This helped create teams that really cared about each other. On top of that, we had a 97% graduation rate. These kids worked hard on and off the field. So many kids have come back to tell me that the discipline and work habits have shaped them as men. It’s been a home run for me.”
Apart from his time at Fordham, Gallagher lived a noble life, enlisting in the U.S. Naval Service during the Korean War. After his time in the U.S. Navy, he turned to coaching a boys club with different age groups. He won the National Championship with Bill Mayor’s boys club in 1976, and then achieved great success in stints as an assistant coach at Mepham High School in Bellmore, N.Y., and as head coach at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, N.Y. In all, Gallagher compiled a winning percentage of better than .800 for his high school coaching career.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Coach Gallagher’s family.
Other quotes about Coach Gallagher:
Interim Fordham Athletic Director Ed Kull
“Coach Gallagher’s dedication and loyalty to Fordham baseball, even after his Fordham career ended, was second to none. The men he coached held him in the highest regard and loved him like family. Coach Gallagher’s passion and sense of humor will truly be missed.”
Former Fordham Athletic Director Frank McLaughlin:
“Coach Gallagher was unique!! When I became Fordham’s Athletic Director, Dan was our baseball coach, and I came to Fordham with very high expectations and Coach Gallagher led the way for those expectations. Under Dan’s hard work, dedication, “old school” mentality, and loyalty, Fordham Baseball had great success, and brought much pride to Rose Hill. He was demanding, but loved his players, and Fordham! Whenever, anyone talks about Fordham Baseball, they will always talk about the team’s great success under a Hall of Fame coach! Dan and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless Coach Gallagher. RIP”
