Major Gift Endows St. Lawrence University Head Football Coach Position in Memory of Steve Munn ’64
The St. Lawrence University Head Football Coach is now an endowed position thanks to a $1.5 million gift from the Munn family in memory of Steve Munn ’64.
The family gift recognizes Munn’s roles as a former student-athlete and supporter of St. Lawrence athletics, a past University trustee (’82-’91), and proud parent of Michele Munn Celestino ’90 and Trustee Robyn Munn Gengras ’94, P’28.
Steve Munn and his family also established the Munn Endowed Scholarship in 1985, which gave preference to students from Ogdensburg. The family has continued to add to the fund over the years.
The endowed coaching position will carry the title of Stephen P. Munn ’64 Head Football Coach, marking a permanent tribute to Steve’s dedication and contributions to the University. Coach Dan Puckhaber is the first holder of this named position. "This generous gift highlights the importance of endowment to the long-term financial sustainability of St. Lawrence University," says President Kate Morris. “We are honored that Robyn and Michele have chosen to remember their father in this way.”
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Franco Bari ’98, M’10 expressed his sincere appreciation: “Their generosity will ensure that Saints football continues to thrive. As we work to build a bigger, stronger, better athletics program, endowed coaching positions play a critical role in attracting and retaining exceptional coaches, staff, and student-athletes.”
Munn was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was later inducted into the St. Lawrence Athletic Hall of Fame for his football accomplishments in 1995. After graduation, Munn served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged after receiving the Bronze Star and the Army Commendations medals. His childhood best friend from Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence football teammate, Michael Delduchetto ’64, was also a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the Army Commendations medals. After returning to the U.S., the two friends earned their MBAs at the University of Buffalo, living together in an apartment with their wives. As many St. Lawrence friends do, they and their families remained very close throughout their lives.
Munn had a distinguished career, holding leadership roles across major corporations. He joined Carrier International as President in 1976, rose to Chief Financial Officer of Carrier Corporation and then President, Carrier Transicold. He then joined Carlisle Companies Inc. as President, CEO, and later Chairman. He also served on the boards of Gannett Company, O'Sullivan Corporation, and oversaw numerous portfolios as a Director or Trustee for Prudential Funds.
Celestino and Gengras reflected on their upbringing as “football daughters” who loved watching the sport with their dad from a young age. They were also quick to point out that there was no bigger fan of the Saints football team. “Dad always credited his teammates and Coach Ron Hoffman ’54 for helping him develop the confidence he needed to go out and find success in the business world,” says Celestino. “As a small-town kid from Ogdensburg, he had a lot of gratitude for the lifelong friendships and connections he built at St. Lawrence.”
Gengras thinks her father would get a kick out of his two girls carrying on the football legacy. “This endowment feels like the right way to honor our dad—giving back to the University we all love and supporting the sport we shared with him,” she says. When Gengras speaks as a trustee, she takes a more pragmatic approach. “The reality is we need to build our endowment across the University, both for our long-term stability and to stay competitive with our peers,” she says. “I hope others who have the resources will strongly consider endowing a coaching position. We can do this—one team at a time.”
