Director of Athletics Patricia H. Meiser joined President Walter Harrison, head baseball Coach Jeff Calcaterra and Robert Fiondella on Sunday in officially naming the University of Hartford baseball field in honor of the Fiondella family.

“Fiondella Field will stand as a lasting tribute to the Fiondella family, all of whom have dedicated much of their lives to promoting the positive values associated with athletics participation,” President Harrison said.

The field dedication is a small token of the University’s gratitude toward Fiondella and his family for their tremendous commitment to bettering their community. Fiondella, a University regent, is the former chairman and CEO of Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co. and is currently founding principal of JEROB Enterprises, LLC, and chairman of The Institute for Retirement Security.

“I truly appreciate the honor the University of Hartford is bestowing on me and my family,” said Fiondella. “I have always believed that a full education includes athletics as well as academics. This will stand alongside my honorary degree the University gave me. I am truly grateful.” The University of Hartford presented Fiondella with an honorary degree in 2000.

Immediately following the dedication, a Little League Challenger exhibition game was the first game played on Fiondella Field. The Challenger Division exists to allow youth participation in baseball and softball for children with disabilities. Fiondella has long been involved with Little League and was a key leader in the effort to build the Eastern Regional Little League Center in his hometown of Bristol. “The Challenger exhibition is a wonderful way to showcase Bob’s impact on young people through his philanthropic and leadership efforts,” said Meiser.

Fiondella joined the Phoenix in 1968 after graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He was elected president and appointed a director of the company in 1987. When Phoenix Mutual merged to become Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company in 1992, Fiondella was elected president and principal operating officer, and two years later he was elected chairman, president, and chief executive officer — positions he held until 2001. He retired as chairman of the board in 2003.

Fiondella’s commitment to the community is exemplified by his leading role in the development of Hartford’s Adriaen’s Landing, chairing the committee that brought a 1996 Presidential Debate to Hartford, serving a four-year term as chair of the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and serving as honorary chairman of the Canon Greater Hartford Open golf tournament (now the Travelers Championship). He was instrumental in getting Connecticut Public Television to broadcast UConn women’s basketball games. Fiondella chaired the American Heart Association’s 2000 Greater Hartford Heart Walk, received the 2003 Urban League of Greater Hartford Black History Merit Award, and has been awarded honorary degrees from the University of Connecticut, Saint Joseph College, and the University of Hartford.