Vince Naimoli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vince Naimoli
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Naimoli in June 2006
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| Born |
Vincent Joseph Naimoli
September 16, 1937 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Died | August 25, 2019 (aged 81) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
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| Occupation | Owner of Tampa Bay Devil Rays (MLB), businessman, investor, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1995–2005 |
Vincent Joseph Naimoli (born September 16, 1937 – died August 25, 2019) was an American businessman. He was best known as the very first owner of the Major League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Vincent Naimoli was born in Paterson, New Jersey. His father was an Italian immigrant. He worked for the New York City Subway system.
School and College Years
Vincent went to Paterson Central High School. After high school, he studied at the University of Notre Dame. He graduated in 1959.
He continued his education, earning a master's degree. This was in mechanical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1962. He also got a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This MBA was from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1964.
Family Life
Vincent Naimoli had three daughters from his first marriage. He had one daughter from his second marriage. He loved attending sports events for the Fighting Irish. This was the team from his old university, Notre Dame.
Owning a Baseball Team
Vincent Naimoli was the person who started and first owned the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. This baseball team's name was later changed to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
Building the Stadium
Naimoli helped make a deal for the team's stadium. It was named Tropicana Field after Tropicana Products. The team paid for improvements to the stadium.
He also helped design the stadium. It had a unique outfield shape. The seats were very close to the field. Artificial grass, called FieldTurf, was added in 2000.
Smart Spending Habits
Vincent Naimoli was known for being very careful with money. He always looked for ways to save.
Saving Money for the Team
For example, he didn't want to buy internet access or email for the Rays. He thought email was just a passing trend. He also had a rule about not bringing outside food into the ballpark. This rule caused some discussion among fans.
Giving Back to the Community
Vincent Naimoli lived in Tampa for a long time. He was recognized for his efforts to help the community.
Awards and Recognition
In 1996, he received the first "Bridging the Bay" award. This award recognized his work to bring people together. He also received awards from groups like the Urban League and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Supporting Education
Naimoli gave a lot of money to his old universities. In 2007, he gave $1 million to Fairleigh Dickinson University. This money helped build the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex. It was finished in 2011.
In 2006, he gave $5 million to the University of Notre Dame. This gift helped renovate the Edmund P. Joyce Center. This is a large sports arena used by the school's teams. A new club area inside the center is named after his family.
He also donated money in 2009 to the New Jersey Institute of Technology. This helped build the Naimoli Family Athletic and Recreational Facility. This facility has courts for tennis and other sports.
Naimoli also said he made many other large donations. He kept these donations a secret.
Later Life and Passing
In 2014, Vincent Naimoli was diagnosed with a brain condition. It was called progressive supranuclear palsy. He passed away on August 25, 2019, at the age of 81.
