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Bill Skehan as big of an effect on me as anyone . I dealt with him in terms of discipline as much the others !” When looking back on his time at Rose Hill , Skehan says , “ The education was phenomenal , and it prepared us for higher education .”
Boe was already owner of the New York Nets and needed someone to help with the tax complexities of two professional sports franchises and serve as an in-house legal counsel . Skehan accepted the offer and returned to New York .
Born and raised in the Bronx , Bill Skehan grew up within walking distance of Fordham Prep on Mosholu Parkway . “ I attended St . Brendan ’ s grammar school and I must credit my father , who was a member of the first graduating class at Regis High School , for always encouraging me ,” says Skehan . When it came time to decide on a high school , his father ’ s Jesuit background reared its head . “ It was between Fordham Prep and Xavier , and I chose to go to Fordham Prep .”
During his time at Fordham Prep , Skehan played middle linebacker for three years of varsity football and a was member of two of the best Fordham Prep football teams of all time – the 1954 and 1956 undefeated teams – under legendary coach and Hall of Honor member , Sammy Ososki . Skehan describes his time on the football team as “ very instructional ; it taught me dedication and reliability .” Bill also had a tremendous amount of respect for Fr . Arthur Shea , SJ and mathematics teacher Harry McDonough . “ Fr . Shea had
After graduating from the Prep , Skehan ’ s father again guided his son towards the Jesuits . “ Initially after high school , my intention was to enlist in the Marine Corps , like many of the other guys from the Bronx at that time . My dad had other ideas and sent me up to Holy Cross ,” states Skehan .
During his senior year at Holy Cross , Bill wasn ’ t entirely sure what he wanted to do after graduation , but fate had other ideas . As he explains it , “ One of my professors at Holy Cross said , ‘ You have an affinity for accounting . Why don ’ t you take the exam to get into Rutgers ’ accounting program ?’” In his mind , the program would pay for itself after an internship , so he took the exam and was accepted .
Skehan ended up earning a MBA in accounting from Rutgers and took a job with the public accounting firm Touche Ross , a forerunner of today ’ s “ Big Four ” accounting firm Deloitte . He ended up working in the tax division and went to Fordham Law at night .
At Touche Ross , Skehan worked under one of the firm ’ s partners and was assigned a client to help solve a major merger problem for a garment company . The client was Roy Boe . Boe did not forget the help Skehan provided in solving his merger issue , so when Boe founded the New York Islanders in 1972 , one of his first calls was to Skehan . During this time , Skehan was in Seattle , handling Boeing Corporation ’ s tax issues for Touche Ross .
Boe sold the Nets in 1978 , but Skehan remained as the Islanders ’ general counsel until 2000 , surviving ownership and business changes in the NHL . He became a very close friend of former Islanders General Manager Bill Torrey and former head coach Al Arbour . Skehan was one of the two people who raised Torrey ’ s jersey to the rafters at Nassau Memorial Coliseum . He is probably also one of the few Fordham Prep alums who has been part of an ESPN 30 for 30 episode , as well !
After retiring from the Islanders , Hofstra Law School asked Skehan to teach a course in sports law , which he continues to this day . He has also been a volunteer fireman for the past 15 years in Plandome , New York and is an Army veteran .
Skehan still has season tickets to the Islanders . He is married with two children and seven grandchildren . He has remained connected to his alma mater and his classmates as a frequent reunion attendee and has stayed in touch with the people from his childhood neighborhood .
Life has been serendipitous for Skehan – being at the right place at the right time . Going to Holy Cross through the encouragement of his father , going to Rutgers on the recommendation of one his college professors , getting a job with Touche Ross , and meeting Roy Boe and solving his merger issue .
And for Bill Skehan , it all started with Fordham Prep .
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