Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, has announced the establishment of the Larry Lucchino Institute for the Study of Sports, supported by a multimillion-dollar gift from the Lucchino family foundation. The new institute aims to attract students who embody the qualities associated with Larry Lucchino, the late former president of the Boston Red Sox, including intellectual curiosity, competitiveness, and a commitment to community impact beyond the athletic realm.
Lucchino, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 78, was known for his rigorous work ethic and sharp mind, as well as a challenging yet motivating leadership style. Over a career spanning several Major League Baseball teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, he played a key role in stadium development and the renovation of Fenway Park. His nephew, David Lucchino, emphasized that Larry Lucchino approached sports as a platform for broader social influence rather than solely a business pursuit.
Beginning in the fall of 2027, the institute will offer renewable scholarships of $4,000 annually to “Lucchino Scholars,” alongside mentorship and internship opportunities. Additionally, the program will feature lecture series, panel discussions, and an interdisciplinary seminar led by Assumption faculty exploring the societal impacts of sports. The institute will collaborate with Assumption’s Center for Civic Friendship to examine how sports can foster common ground across diverse groups.
Dr. Charles Steinberg, who worked with Lucchino for 45 years and currently serves as president of the Worcester Red Sox, will serve as the inaugural director of the institute. Steinberg praised Assumption University’s energy and commitment to integrating sports into a liberal arts education, highlighting the institution’s strong partnership with the WooSox. Assumption was a founding partner of the Worcester Red Sox, with the university’s baseball team playing the first game at Polar Park in 2021.
Assumption President Greg Weiner spoke about the power of engaging students’ passion for sports as a means to explore broader educational themes. He noted the breadth of potential directions for the institute, aligning with Lucchino’s multifaceted legacy. Weiner also referenced Lucchino’s 2022 commencement address, describing it as one of the best he had heard and highlighting Lucchino’s call to "be bold" as a motivational force behind the initiative.
The Lucchino family views Assumption as a fitting home for the institute, citing the university’s student body as reflective of Larry Lucchino’s values. David Lucchino emphasized the view of sports as a critical avenue for human connection and societal engagement, expressing optimism about the institute’s future impact.
In addition to funding the institute, the Lucchino family foundation has contributed $1 million to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support research on multiple myeloma, a disease affecting both Larry and David Lucchino. The institute’s advisory board includes prominent figures such as Janet Marie Smith, George F. Will, Dan Shaughnessy, and Josh Kraft.
The creation of the Larry Lucchino Institute represents a continuation of Lucchino’s influence on the region’s sports and civic landscape, with university and team officials expressing confidence in the institute’s role in fostering a new generation of thoughtful leaders grounded in the values Lucchino championed.