Richard 'Pinky' McNamara - M Club Hall of Fame - University of Minnesota Athletics

Upcoming Events

Schedule

Sep 10

Women's Golf

vs ANNIKA Intercollegiate

Sep 11

7:00 PM

Soccer

at Nebraska

Sep 12

3:00 PM

Volleyball

vs Dayton vs. South Dakota State

Richard 'Pinky' McNamara
Football, 1953-56
HOF Class of 2002

“Pinky” McNamara came to the University of Minnesota in the early 1950s, worked tirelessly to earn a scholarship as a halfback and cornerback, and became a three-year letterwinner for Coach Warmath’s Golden Gophers.

Pinky and his older brother Bob, an All-American halfback, were Gopher teammates from 1953 to 1954. Pinky’s career highlights included an outstanding performance in the 1956 Blue-Gray All-Star game.

After graduating that year, the Hastings, MN native was drafted in the 23rd round by the Baltimore Colts, but opted to launch what became an extremely successful business career. He founded Activar, Inc., specializing in restructuring failing companies and returning them to profitability. He also became a well-known and respected philanthropist.

McNamara, who served on the University’s Board of Regents, became one of the school’s most generous donors, including a $10 million gift in 1998 to help fund the McNamara Alumni Center and support students in the College of Liberal Arts and student-athletes. He has also helped raise money for athletic programs, and added support for the new TCF Bank Stadium.