John Schuerholz ’62 ‘07 and Karen Schuerholz- Honorary Co-chairs, RISE Campaign

“It’s just part of giving back—because of the success in life I have enjoyed. We are proud to do it.”

Born and raised in Baltimore, John Schuerholz was an all-conference selection in both baseball and soccer and was named TU Athlete of the Year during his senior season. “I was the first and only person in my family who graduated from college,” says John.  “I was very proud of that.”

He graduated in 1962 and began his career as a junior high school teacher before setting his sights on his dream of working in professional baseball. His baseball career began with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and three years later with the expansion Kansas City Royals, who won the 1985 World Series. In 1990, John became general manager of the Atlanta Braves, helping them win multiple National League pennants and the 1995 World Series, becoming the first Major League general manager ever to have won World Series titles in both the National and American leagues. John spent 17 years as the Atlanta Braves’ general manager, becoming team president in 2007, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.

And through his career, John has stayed connected to Towson University, providing a lead gift and serving as chair of the fundraising effort to upgrade TU’s baseball facility, John B. Schuerholz Park, named for his late father. “My dad came from a wonderful athletic family in Baltimore. He represented our family well.”

John’s support for TU continues, serving along with his wife Karen, as Honorary Co-Chairs of the RISE Campaign.