Judge James Dooley

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A "Class of 1965" inductee, Judge James E. Dooley was a founder of the Providence Reds when the team entered the Canadian-American Hockey League in its inaugural 1926-27 season. He would later become president of the CAHL.

In 1929, he hired Jean Dubuc to coach and manage the Reds. Ten years later, he sold the team to Louis A. R. Pieri.

A leading sports figure in Rhode Island for decades, Judge Dooley graduated from Georgetown Law School, became a RI district court judge for a short time and then a state legislator.

In 1916, he became a part owner of the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League. His 1928 team won the NFL Championship but folded five years later.

As a member of the RI General Assembly, his bill to allow pari-mutuel horse race gambling was passed, and two months later Narragansett Park opened for horse racing.

In 1938, he became president of the track, holding onto that post until his passing in 1960.

Judge James Dooley
Owner

R. I. Reds Heritage Society
PO Box 504 Lincoln, RI 02895
Telephone: 401-230-5905
email: RIREDS15@gmail.com