Rudolph (Vic) V. Pino Jr. ’73, P’05, ’01
Alumni Service Award
Rudolph V. Pino Jr. ’73, P’05,’01 is a widely recognized and highly sought-after legal counselor specializing in litigation involving product liability, aviation, and telecommunication satellite insurance issues. His professional success allowed him to found his own law firm in White Plains, N.Y., in 1992. Today, Pino brings more than 45 years of experience to his role as Of Counsel with Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP.
Pino—known to family and friends as Vic—was drawn to Fairfield University as an undergraduate by a deep family connection to Jesuit Catholic education and its emphasis on values rooted in purpose and service. Decades later, that same foundation continues to inspire his commitment to living as a man for others.
As an alumnus, Pino has actively supported the University, especially Fairfield Athletics. Many of his most cherished Fairfield memories and friendships stem from his time as a club rugby student-athlete. In his senior year, Pino and his teammates raised the funds to travel overseas to compete against teams in England and Wales—an experience that showed him firsthand how athletics can build confidence, community, and lifelong bonds.
That sense of pride came full circle when Pino’s children, Anne ’01 and Rudy ’05, chose to attend Fairfield and joined the University’s golf program.
Anne and Rudy each forged their own paths at Fairfield, enjoying successful and rewarding experiences as student-athletes. Remembering his own time on campus and aware of how difficult it can be for young athletics programs to access resources, Pino jumped in to help. Through his connection to Westchester Country Club, he secured a donation of uniforms and bags, working with the club’s head golf pro—a fellow Fairfield alumnus. It was the beginning of a deep and growing commitment to supporting Fairfield Athletics.
As his philanthropic capacity grew and the golf program’s ambitions expanded, Pino began to envision an on-campus indoor practice venue for the golf teams. In 2017, that vision became a reality with the opening of the Pino Golf Studio in the basement of McAuliffe Hall. Equipped with a TrackMan Golf HD Simulator, multi-camera review system, putting area, and lounge space, the studio gave Fairfield’s golf teams a convenient, year-round place to train, meet, and build community. Just as importantly, the facility strengthened the program’s ability to recruit and develop student-athletes.
For several years, Pino has also provided vital logistical and philanthropic support for an annual Florida Golf Experience for the men’s and women’s varsity programs. His generosity has given student-athletes access to some of the country’s premier golf courses, while creating meaningful opportunities to connect with Fairfield alumni and mentors.
Today, Pino lives in Jupiter, Fla., and Rye, NY, with his wife Mary Ann, and continues to support the University through generous contributions across a wide range of programs and initiatives. “I think it’s important in higher education that students have a rewarding experience—not just educationally, but socially and athletically,” he said. “A well-rounded experience broadens their horizons.” Pino puts that belief into action through his support not only of athletics, but also of initiatives such as the renovation of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library’s main reading room.
Guided by an eye for possibility and a desire to make a meaningful impact, Pino has helped shape the Fairfield experience for generations of students. His enduring commitment to service and community reflects the values that first drew him to Fairfield decades ago and embodies the spirit of “Once A Stag, Always A Stag.”