10/09/2026
Genesis Group Did You Know:
• Thomas Proctor donated the land at Murnane Field on Sunset Avenue in Utica to the Utica City School District in 1906 as part of the Olmstead Park Plan.
• Murnane Field was named after Charles F. Murnane (1893-1939) who was a Coach and Athletic Director in the Utica School System, serving as a coach at Utica Free Academy from 1925-1938 and Athletic Director at Proctor High School in 1938 until his death in 1939.
• Murnane Field was first dedicated in 1941 with a football field and running track.
• With $400,000 secured by State Senator Donovan, Murnane Field was rededicated into a baseball park in 1990 and became home for the Utica Blue Sox (Class A for the Toronto Blue Jays), Utica City School Teams, Mohawk Valley Community College and American Legion Teams.
• Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field is named after New York State Senator James Donovan who represented Rome and later Utica from 1966 until his death in 1990.
• State Senator James Donovan was Chairman of the Committee on Education from 1977-1990.
• On June 10, 2025 Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field was again rededicated with a 3 Million Dollar project through Oneida County for upgrades to the Stadium.
• The Donovan Stadium upgrades included improved field drainage, a synthetic turf field, LED field lighting, new fencing, safety nets, batting cages, bullpens and improvements to the grandstand.
• The first baseball game played on the synthetic turf field was between the Boonville Lumberjacks and the Utica Blue Sox on June11, 2025. Boonville won the game 7 to 5.
