On April 4, Bolles leadership announced a transformative gift by Bruce Chappell Sr. and the Chappell-Walker Family that will bring a newly designed baseball fieldhouse to the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus in honor of Chappell’s late wife, Jerry “Poppy” Chappell.

The announcement was made during the Agnes Cain Painter & Glynlea and Heritage Society reception, which Chappell attended alongside fellow donors who have made gifts or pledges of $3,000 or more to the Bolles Annual Fund.

The Jerry and Bruce Chappell Fieldhouse will feature a player locker room and training room, coaches’ offices, an entrance lobby and a tribute plaque in memory of Jerry Chappell. Outdoor landscaping that bears a resemblance to the avid gardening style of Jerry Chappell will also be incorporated into the design. Construction on the project will begin this fall. 

In remarks given at the reception, Chappell reflected on his first venture with Bolles 48 years ago when his son enrolled in seventh grade. He recalled working with the late, legendary A. Chester Skinner Jr. ’40, who was on the Bolles Board of Directors at the time, to raise funds for a new football stadium. Chappell also served as the president of the Bolles Athletic Booster Club, but he credits his wife with doing the real heavy lifting – with one of her many events raising more than $100,000.

Chappell also served on the Bolles Board of Trustees for eight years with then-President and Head of School Dr. John Trainer Jr., at that point having three children and six grandchildren go to Bolles. He said his family is “thrilled to death” to dedicate the fieldhouse to his wife and pleased to be part of the future of Bolles.

“There are two things you can give your children or grandchildren that no one can ever take away: love and a good education,” Chappell said. “And let me tell you, this Institution offers a pretty good education.”

Bolles President and Head of School Tyler Hodges shared his gratitude to Chappell for his leadership, both past and present.

“We are fortunate to have worked and to currently work at a place that had people like you shepherding it, guiding it and taking care of it because we are privileged to be able to serve here,” Hodges said. “I really do believe that I am standing on the shoulders of giants that came before me. We are very cognizant that everything we are doing – now and in the future – would not have been possible without people like you.”

Thank you to Chappell and the Chappell-Walker Family for their immense generosity! #BollesFamily