Shrode Field - Why Jim ’54 and Kieko Shrode are Pleased to Continue Supporting CDH
By Greta Cunningham ‘23 - Communications Apprentice
September 23, 2022
Cretin-Derham Hall’s varsity baseball field, Shrode Field, was dedicated in recognition of Jim ’54 and Kieko Shrode’s generous support of CDH on October 13, 2014.
“I continue to support Cretin-Derham Hall because I believe a good Catholic education is extremely important, and I think CDH provides exactly that,” said Jim Shrode. “I know the key people who run the school; I know what they want to achieve and how dedicated they are to do it, so I am pleased to continue supporting CDH.”
Jim Shrode was able to attend Cretin due to the generosity of a Catholic couple who eventually adopted him and his brother, allowing him to receive a Lasallian education with the Christian Brothers instead of being sent to Boys Town in Nebraska. The Shrodes have established the Irvin and Mary Shrode scholarship endowment at CDH in honor of Jim’s parents.
These years at Cretin were pivotal in Jim’s life and continue to impact him today. “I remember the camaraderie of the student body. I just loved my fellow students and the traditions of the school. I participated in sports and enjoyed all the school had to offer,” said Shrode. “I felt we were getting the right kind of leadership from all parts of the school, including religion.”
An important part of his Cretin experience included the baseball team. He was a high school standout in baseball which set the stage for a notable college and professional baseball career after high school. After graduating from Cretin, Shrode attended the Catholic University of America while pitching for the Washington Senators (the Senators became Minnesota Twins after the team was moved from Washington D.C. to the Twin Cities). Mr. Shrode’s baseball career ended after a serious injury during his third year.
After graduation, Shrode became a computer systems engineer for IBM and GE, eventually founding Intercon Systems Corporation, a software and systems company employed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and the aerospace industry.
In addition to Shrode Field, CDH is dedicating a space to the Shrodes in the Ryan STEM Center this coming year in honor of their generosity in the recent Strong Foundation, Vibrant Future Campaign.
“I hope the students that use these spaces become strong Catholic leaders and successful in making major contributions to the right things,” said Shrode.
Jim and Kieko Shrode continue to be leaders in the CDH community for their dedication to Catholic values and lifelong learning. The dedicated area to be named in their honor represents their commitment to professional development, camaraderie, intellectual curiosity, and school spirit.