On April 3, 2025, St. Bonaventure University lost Fred Handler, the beloved former baseball coach, whose legacy extends beyond the diamond.
The announcement came from Bonnies Baseball on March 4, just before a game, with a heartfelt tribute:
Prior to this morning’s game, we pay tribute to Fred Handler who passed away this week.
— Bonnies Baseball (@BonniesBaseball) April 4, 2025
Handler served as Bonnies head coach from 1959-1982 and was instrumental in the growth of the program from a club sport to varsity status. Today Handler Park is named in his honor 🙏 pic.twitter.com/fv5Wq4Vnb4
His death marks the end of an era, but his influence endures in the hearts of his family, former players, and the countless lives he touched.
Born And Raised In The Bustling Streets Of Chicago, Illinois, Fred Handler’s Love For Sports Took Root Early
That passion led him to St. Joseph College in Indiana, where he began honing the skills that would define his life’s work.
After graduating, Handler arrived at St. Bonaventure University in 1959, a young coach with a vision.
Over the next two decades, he would transform the Bonnies baseball program from a humble club sport into a varsity powerhouse, cementing his status as a foundational figure in its history.
Handler’s tenure as head coach from 1959 to 1982 makes him the second-longest-serving coach in the program’s over 100-year legacy.
Often called the “father of modern-day Bonnies baseball,” he guided the team into the Atlantic 10 Conference, raising its profile and competitiveness.
But his contributions weren’t limited to baseball.
From 1960 to 1970, Handler also served as an assistant coach for the Bonnies men’s basketball team during some of its most celebrated seasons, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the university’s athletic mission.
For nearly four decades, from 1959 to 1997, he was a fixture in St. Bonaventure’s Department of Physical Education, teaching generations of students and serving as chairman for 12 years.
His lessons weren’t just about sports they were about life. Perseverance, integrity, and grit were values he established in everyone he met, from athletes to undergraduates.
In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992, a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to the institution.
In 2006-07, the university honored him further by renaming the baseball field Fred Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field.
It stands today as a living testament to his legacy a place where future generations of Bonnies can swing for the fences under his enduring inspiration.
Fred’s life was intertwined with another remarkable figure: his wife, Anita C. Handler. Anita was a trailblazer in her own right, serving as the first women’s basketball coach at St. Bonaventure and a respected educator.
Together, they were a power couple dedicated to advancing athletics and education.
Anita’s battle with cancer ended in 2006, a loss that deeply affected Fred and their family. Yet, even in grief, Fred carried on, embodying the resilience he so often taught.
The News Of Fred Handler’s Death Hit His Family And Loved Ones hard
Particularly his grandson, Reid Handler, who took to Facebook to share his sorrow and pride.
Reid wrote-:
These words, Reid noted, were not just for sports but for life a guiding light in the wake of loss.
Fred’s son, Kurt Handler, also carries on the family’s coaching legacy, a thread that ties generations together through a shared love of the game.
The Handlers are a family built on sportsmanship, and Fred was the cornerstone.
A person commented-:
“The Handler family left a lasting impression on many people who lived on and around First Street in Allegany. Had many great memories sitting waiting for Fred to get his pipe going so he could continue another great story. RIP.”
Via Facebook
Other added-:
“Fred was a great husband . Father and grandfather. He will be missed. I’m sorry for your loss Reid…”
Via Facebook
Fred Handler’s death on April 3, 2025, closes a chapter in St. Bonaventure’s history, but his story lives on in the fields he shaped, the players he mentored, and the family he loved.
He wasn’t just a coach, he was a builder, a teacher, and a man who understood that the true trophies in life aren’t always made of metal.
They’re the moments of connection, the lessons passed down, and the quiet pride of a job well done.
As the Bonnies community mourns, they also celebrate. Fred Handler didn’t just leave a program behind; he left a way of being one that will echo through Handler Park and beyond for years to come.
Rest in peace, Coach. Your trophy is well-earned.
