970x125
“We are incredibly grateful to Joe and Kevin,” said William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Blake James. “These endowments are a powerful vote of confidence in the football program and signal to our student-athletes, the BC community, and our competitors that excellence is a top priority at the Heights. Their commitment reflects a deep belief in the mission of Boston College Athletics to compete at the highest level and develop the whole student-athlete. These endowments ensure we can attract and retain elite coaching talent, providing long-term stability and excellence for our football program.”
Popolo, a former member of the Board of Trustees, is the founder and CEO of Charles & Potomac Capital LLC, a Dallas-based private investment firm.
He received the prestigious John P. Curley ’13 Award from BC Athletics in 2018, and was nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands in January 2025 – a testament to his dedication, service, and leadership. Popolo and his wife, Chris, are the proud parents of three Boston College graduates: Kit ’20, Buck ’23, and Connor ’25.
“Chris and I have a great desire to support [Gregory P. Barber ’69 and Family Head Coach] Bill O’Brien and our amazing student- athletes, so we are thrilled to be able to endow the offensive coordinator position in honor of my maternal grandfather, Edward F. (Eddie) Connelly,” Popolo said. “Eddie was a life-long BC fan and it was his dream to play football at Boston College. Captain of his team at Boston’s School of Commerce, Eddie had to quit school at age 17 to support his family. He joined the U.S. Postal Service in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he spent his entire career. Although Eddie was not able to attend BC, he had two children, Helen ’60 and Eddie Jr. ’63, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren graduate from the Heights. Papa, as he was known to his grandchildren, was the most gentle, humble, giving, and beloved man I have ever met,” Popolo adds.
Will Lawing will be the first Edward F. Connelly Offensive Coordinator. Lawing joined Boston College football in the Spring of 2024 after spending the 2023 season as the tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. Lawing has spent over 15 years coaching at both the college and professional level.
Fee is the former president and chairman of Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, Co., a 105-year-old company that manufactures and internationally distributes fire sprinklers and specialty fire protection equipment. He and his wife, Christine, are the proud parents of three children: Karen, Kevin Jr. ’00, and Courtney ’05.
“Endowing this position gives the program the tools to compete at the highest level,” said Fee, who was inspired by the hiring of Bill O’Brien and sees his gift as an investment in O’Brien’s program. “It gives me great pleasure to name the defensive coordinator position of our football team. I was motivated by the excellent decision made by our Athletics Director Blake James to hire Bill O’Brien as our head football coach. Bill is a highly talented, experienced, and successful coach on both the college and professional level who brings a very impressive winning record and tradition to our football program. He also manifests outstanding intangibles and leadership qualities that will take our performance to ‘new heights’.”
Tim Lewis, P’29 will be the first Kevin T. Fee Family Defensive Coordinator. A longtime NFL coach and coordinator, Lewis brings over 34 years of coaching experience. Lewis joined Bill O’Brien‘s staff in 2024, returning to college coaching, after 25 years in professional football.
“The impact Joe Popolo and Kevin Fee have had on our program is immeasurable,” said Gregory P. Barber ’69 and Family Head Coach Bill O’Brien. “These endowments are the latest examples of their extraordinary generosity and their unwavering commitment and dedication to our success on the field. Will and Tim will be excellent representatives as the inaugural Edward F. Connelly Offensive Coordinator and the Kevin T. Fee Family Defensive Coordinator. We could not be more grateful”
