St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Athletics Mourns Passing Of Benefactor Jerome Belson, Esq.
9/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's Athletic Department mourns the loss of longtime University and soccer benefactor Jerome Belson, Esq. ('48L, '80HON), who passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 90. The funeral will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20 at noon at Community Synagogue of Rye at 200 Forest Ave., in Rye, N.Y.
"With the passing of Jerome Belson, our University has lost a tireless and visionary benefactor," said St. John's President Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D., in a University statement. "He has served as an example of excellence and civic commitment for St. John's, New York City, and our nation. Our prayers and sympathy are with the entire Belson family."
The Belson name has become synonymous with St. John's soccer since the construction of Belson Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility on the Queens campus that has served as the home field for both the men's and women's soccer programs since 2002 and was primarily funded by a $6 million gift from Belson and his late wife Maxine ('80HON).
"Mr. Belson and his family have meant the world to our University and our Athletics Department, and we are deeply saddened," said head men's soccer coach Dr. Dave Masur. "Jerry not only loved St. John's, but loved helping others through his involvement with so many charitable organizations. Jerry always wanted to help in whichever way he could and we are forever grateful for his generosity and support."
The idea for a stadium was first hatched on a team trip to Italy after the St. John's men's program won the 1996 NCAA National Championship. The Belson family joined the team on the trip and expressed a desire to make a home for the team they had adopted as their own.
On Feb. 1, 2001, the idea became a reality as ground was broken with the very same shovel that had been used to break ground on the first buildings of the Queens campus in the 1950s. Belson Stadium formally opened on Sept. 21, 2002 as 2,242 fans saw the then-No. 1 ranked St. John's men's team play Wake Forest to a 1-1 draw.
The generosity of the Belson family also supported the construction of Belson Hall and the Belson Moot Court Room, both on the Queens campus.
Belson served on St. John's University's Board of Trustees for 21 years before becoming a trustee emeritus. The University has honored Belson with numerous citations throughout the years, including the President's Medal, the Medal of Honor, the Pietas Medal, the Heritage Circle Award and the Leon Finley Award.
The Chairman of Jerome Belson Associates, Belson also served as a longtime President of Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York, Inc., before becoming President Emeritus.
Inducted into the New York State Builders Association Hall of Fame in 2003, Belson first became involved in real estate in 1952 and began creating non-profit co-op housing developments throughout New York City. By 2005, Belson was overseeing 50,000 apartments.
Belson also served as a chairman of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, a trustee of both the National Jewish Fund and Handicapped Boy Scouts, and a member of the Board of Directors for Disabled and Alone/Life Services for the Handicapped, Inc.
