Life of Brian     Brian R. Campbell

The SMOY booster club has dedicated the field in honor of Brian Campbell, who died suddenly in March.

"Brian has been a part of St. Margaret of York for a long time and has been a part of the boosters for a long time, even after his kids grew out of the program," SMOY booster club president Dan McCurren said.

"He was a great supporter of the church and of the booster club. He was there every Sunday to open the field for home games and it seemed like he was always there."

McCurren presented Campbell's family with a framed replica of the plaque that will be on the home dugout and Campbell's son Ryan, who is a pitcher for Miami University, threw out the first pitch at SMOY's Opening Day.

"The place was packed. There were a lot of people there and it was kind of a mix of young baseball players and their parents and people who knew Brian. It was very gratifying to have such a big crowd," McCurren said.

The field dedication was the culmination of input from a lot of people, McCurren said. Countless people approached him after Campbell's funeral to come up with a way to honor him.

"They knew we needed to do something because he was such an integral part of the boosters and St. Margaret," he said.

"We wanted to do something as a lasting memory and we decided this would be a fitting tribute. He was a special guy and we definitely wanted to honor him and I think we did that."

When asked what he thought people should know about Campbell, McCurren cited the wording of the plaque that will grace the home dugout.

"In honor of Brian Campbell, dedicated coach, devoted father, loyal friend and generous supporter of St. Margaret of York boosters and athletic programs, taken from us too soon."