Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University Department of Athletics mourns the death of former Director of Athletics Jim Garvey, who passed away February 5 in Kentucky while awaiting a heart transplant.

Thanks to the generosity of the Garvey Family, the James V. Garvey Memorial Scholarship has been created. The scholarship will be presented annually to a deserving student-athlete from the men's lacrosse program. 

“Jim Garvey played a significant role in the development of the Hofstra University Department of Athletics,” commented Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. “He had a wonderful career at Hofstra and we are honored and excited that his family has decided to start a scholarship in his name. This scholarship will help to further enhance a University and sport he cared so deeply about.  We offer our condolences to his family and friends and thank them for their support of Hofstra University.”

Garvey served as director of athletics at Hofstra from 1987 until his retirement in 1997. Under his watch, Hofstra Athletics experienced a tremendous growth period that saw women's soccer (1992) added as an intercollegiate sport and the move from Division I Independent status into the North Atlantic Conference in 1994. He hired football coach Joe Gardi in 1990 and men's basketball coach Jay Wright in 1994. The football team transitioned from Division III to I-AA (now FCS) during this time and made one NCAA appearance, the men's lacrosse team made three NCAA Tournament appearances and was ranked in the final top 20 poll nine times, and the softball team made two NCAA appearances.

He was also an official in football, basketball and lacrosse, working four bowl games, three NCAA Basketball Tournaments and six NCAA Lacrosse championship games.

A 1993 inductee into the Long Island Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Garvey served as NCAA supervisor of lacrosse officials and was a member of the NCAA Rules Committee. He also served on the executive board of the National Association of Sports Officials and on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Issues Committee.

In addition to his activities on the national level, Garvey was involved on the conference level as well. He served as chairperson of the ECAC Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committee and of the America East Men's Lacrosse Committee. He was also part of the America East Long Range Planning and Television Committees.

Gifts to the James V. Garvey Memorial Scholarship Fund can be sent via check and payable to "Hofstra University" and mailed to: Tim McMahon, Associate Director of Athletics, 207 Mack Sports Complex, 245 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549.