Former Northwestern Baseball letterwinner Dennis LaPidus '64 has made a major gift to establish the Sidney and Mildred LaPidus Head Baseball Coach position at the University, in memory of his parents. LaPidus was a pitcher for the team.
This gift will provide Northwestern Athletics and the baseball program with the financial support and flexibility needed to make a difference in student-athletes' lives. Ben Greenspan, the inaugural Sidney and Mildred LaPidus Head Baseball Coach, is now in his second year leading the Wildcats.
Greenspan is one of four coaches who currently hold endowed positions at the University. Northwestern's other endowed coaching positions are the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach, held by David Braun; the Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach, held by Kelly Amonte Hiller; and the Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach, held by Chris Collins ('25 P).
"Dennis knows first-hand the opportunities that being a Northwestern student-athlete provide our players, both academically and athletically," said Mark Jackson, the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. "Through his philanthropy, he is making a meaningful impact on the program that helped shape him."
LaPidus has been a Northwestern Athletics supporter and season ticket holder over the years. The Sidney and Mildred LaPidus Dugout within Rocky and Berenice Miller Park is named in recognition of a previous commitment from LaPidus. He also established the Mildred and Sidney LaPidus Basketball Scholarship for the Wildcats men's and women's basketball programs.
"When I enrolled at NU, I had no idea I would form a lasting bond with the school and the friends I made along the way," LaPidus said. "The education I received was first class, but athletics was and is my passion. It is so special for me to be able to help the baseball team continue to prosper and honor my parents through my endowment of the head coaching position."
LaPidus, who received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering in 1964 and an MBA from Roosevelt University in 1967, is a former president of MBI Leasing, a Chicago-based real estate firm. He is a member of the NU Loyal giving society, which honors those who make three or more consecutive annual gifts to Northwestern, and the Northwestern University Leadership Circle (NULC) giving society, which recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more to the University during the fiscal year.
Greenspan was named head coach of the Wildcats in August 2023 after serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for Michigan during the 2023 season. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Cal Poly. He also spent seven seasons (2015-21) on the coaching staff at Arizona State, during which time the Sun Devils earned four NCAA regional berths, and six seasons (2009-14) on the coaching staff at Indiana, helping guide the Hoosiers to the College World Series for the first time in school history. The West Point, New York, native previously was named one of NCAA Baseball's top assistant coaches to watch by D1 Baseball. Greenspan has played a key role in the recruiting and development of top prospects and MLB stars at each stop in his coaching journey.
"I'm tremendously honored to be the Sidney and Mildred LaPidus Head Coach," Greenspan said. "Northwestern Baseball's vision of building a championship-level program would not be possible without our dedicated donors and alumni. Our staff and student-athletes are so grateful for Dennis's generosity."
Last month, Northwestern Baseball won its first season-opening series since 2008, beating Long Beach State. The Wildcats are back in Evanston for their home opener against Penn State on March 14 at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park.
