The newly opened, state-of-the-art track at Campanella Field is more than a feat of engineering; it is a monument to the enduring impact of mentorship and the profound gratitude of one alumnus for his coach, friend, and father-figure. Moses Brown School proudly announces the naming of its revitalized track as The Dr. King “Doc” B. Odell & Peter E. Lacaillade ’67 Track, a joint dedication celebrating the deep connection between Peter E. Lacaillade ’67 and the legendary Dr. King “Doc” B. Odell, Jr.

This momentous dedication follows Peter and his wife Connie Lacaillade’s generous $1.5 million commitment to the school in honor of Doc and this new campus centerpiece.

From Recruit to Record-Setter

Over 60 years ago, Peter Lacaillade, a talented runner and hurdler from Monsignor Coyle High School in Taunton, Massachusetts, was practicing with the Brown University track team when he was approached by a man in the northeast corner of the Waughtel-Howe Field House, on the black asphalt of Providence’s only state-of-the-art indoor track. Little did he know then that man — Dr. King B. “Doc” Odell — would change the trajectory of his life. That person would become a life-long mentor, friend, father-figure, and ultimately advisor and confidant. Doc, the MB coach, asked Peter if he had ever thought about coming to Moses Brown School.

Peter said no, and Doc quickly asked if he could meet with Peter’s parents. Doc soon knocked on their door, and the plan to matriculate was set into motion. The following September, Peter moved into the Boarding Department in a dorm room adjacent to his coach and began classes as a senior. 

Peter ran the 45-yard high hurdles, 50-yard dash, and 300-yard run indoors. He became the undefeated, two-time Rhode Island State Champion and New England Champion in the 45-yard high hurdles, setting a Moses Brown School, Rhode Island State, and New England Prep School record that still stands today. Peter went on to compete at the University of Connecticut, where he was elected Captain and holds a 60-yard high hurdles record. In 2006 he was inducted into the Moses Brown Hall of Fame. 

An Inextricable Bond

“Doc” and “Lac” formed a bond that solidified during a time of profound personal loss. In March of Peter’s second year at MB, his father became very ill and suddenly passed away at the age of 58.  “I was pretty much on my own,” recounts Peter. “The good people at Moses Brown rallied to support me and became my family.”  

Peter, a full scholarship student, balanced his academic work with boarding department activity and responsibilities such as running the switchboard and waiting on tables. That discipline and training would prepare him well for a successful, 28-year career on Wall Street and 22 years as Chairman, President, and CEO of Certified Oil Company in Columbus, Ohio. 

“Doc was wonderful to me. He was truly a presence and a generous man with a big heart. We used to strategize before our track meets to position our best lineup, to ensure success. He was a fierce competitor and loved to win.

“Off the track, Doc and I became best of friends. I will always remember the time we had together and the wisdom of his advice and common sense.”

In addition to his relationship with Doc, other facets of a Moses Brown education were formative for Peter. He highly valued the Sunday experience of Quaker Meeting. 

“After a busy week of sports and classes, to have quiet time at Quaker Meeting to reorganize your thoughts for what you have done and what you want to do, was invaluable. I found the Quaker experience very rewarding.”

In the final months of Doc’s life, Peter was among a handful of people who spent time with him, and Peter’s care and admiration for his friend and mentor were evident. He told the staff at the hospital that they were caring for a very special human being, and he was absolutely right. 

When Peter received an announcement about the new outdoor track, he reflected on his relationship with Doc. It immediately struck him how he and Doc were inextricably linked and that it was fitting for their connection to one another and to Moses Brown to be celebrated at the new outdoor track. 

Peter made that wish a reality when he and his wife Connie Lacaillade generously committed a $1.5 million gift to Moses Brown School. In recognition of Peter’s philanthropy and his everlasting bond with his mentor, father-figure, and friend, Moses Brown will dedicate the new Dr. King “Doc” B. Odell & Peter E. Lacaillade ’67 Track on October 17, 2025. “Doc” and “Lac” will be celebrated together, and “The King” would be very pleased. 

 A Legacy of Generosity and Gratitude

The dedication of the new track honors this life-changing relationship and recognizes Peter and Connie Lacaillade’s two-plus decades of transformative generosity at Moses Brown. Their earlier support included establishing Moses Brown’s first endowed teaching chair (The Odell Distinguished Teaching Chair) and the Lacaillade Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Habib Y. Gorgi ’74, former Clerk of the Board of Trustees, affirmed the approach to link Doc and Peter’s names together as MB enters a new era for its Track and Field program. This was important to Peter, since Habib and Susan Gorgi had made the initial 2005 gift to bring the track from cinders to a modern surface and to have it named in honor of Doc.

"The decision to link Peter’s name with Doc’s as we dedicate the new track is a perfect way to honor the lifelong impact Doc had, an impact that inspired Peter’s generosity,” says Habib.

 “Doc dedicated his life to being a mentor and friend for thousands of MB students, turning his strong opinions and high-bar expectations into a lifetime of positive impact and genuine help. His sense of commitment—to the school, to the students, and to getting the absolute best performance out of you, whether in a classroom or on the track—represented the pinnacle of what a coach and teacher should strive for, and Peter's gift embodies that spirit of commitment to MB."

Head of School Katie Titus echoes Habib’s reflections on MB’s close-knit learning community and shares deep appreciation for both Peter and Habib’s philanthropy.  

“The relationship Doc had with Peter and Habib reflects the kind of deep, meaningful connections we want our students and alums to have—with their friends, with their teachers, and throughout our community.

 “The Moses Brown community is grateful for the incredible generosity of the Lacaillades and the Gorgis, which encourages possibility and furthers excellence in athletics in our community.”

“Connie and I are happy to be in a position to give back to this wonderful school,” says Peter. “I’ve had a fulfilling and life-long experience at Moses Brown, and I strongly believe that if you are in a position to give back to something that has given you a lot, you do it!

His wish and advice for members of the MB community? “Remember there are three keys to happiness: Don’t think of yourself, be appreciative, and be generous and giving. You follow those three things, and you will be a happy person!”