Athletics Community Remembers Joe Boylan
Mar 22 | General
On Sunday afternoon, Joe Boylan passed away at the age of 82. A fixture in the Rutgers community since joining the basketball staff as an assistant coach in 1973, he was a kind soul known by all for his positive demeanor, storytelling ability and genuine care for others. Following the news of his passing, tributes have poured in from those that were lucky enough to know him.
Anyone who got to know Joe Boylan will say, I loved that man. Always there with an encouraging word, he loved our kids and and what we’re building. He was a man of civility, respect and grace. And he could tell a good story with his humor and that Irish twinkle in his eye. RIP????
— Pat Hobbs (@PatHobbsRU) March 22, 2021
Joe was one of the absolute nicest men I have ever known. This is crushing. https://t.co/HHJLzeH0GL
— Jerry Recco (@JerryRecco) March 22, 2021
This morning, @JerryRecco reflected on the passing of his friend and Rutgers radio partner, Joe Boylan, who passed away Sunday at age 82.https://t.co/OAvQN9EhJn
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 22, 2021
'Never delay gratitude.'
— Jerry Carino (@NJHoopsHaven) March 22, 2021
On my final, unforgettable conversation with Joe Boylan. Wisdom, stories (including a howler about P.J. Carlesimo) and a lesson learned. We lost a good, good man: https://t.co/8eTTUTyOSi via @asburyparkpress
If you met him, you were a friend for life. He only saw the good in people. He made you feel comfortable in your own skin, because he was. He knew everybody, and everybody loved him.
— Chris Carlin (@ChrisCarlin) March 22, 2021
Raise a glass to Joe Boylan, and the good times you shared. He wouldn’t want it any other way. pic.twitter.com/GMjyFVbG25
Joe Boylan experienced so much with @RutgersMBB.
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) March 22, 2021
He was a longtime assistant, including on the 1976 Final Four team; he served as assistant athletic director; and he had two stints as radio analyst.
He saw it all, and will be dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/z2rRoVkQbV
Rip Coach Boylan. You were my biggest supporter since the first day I stepped foot on campus... I know you would’ve had the best advice for me rn and wish we could talk hoops one last time. ??
— Geo Baker (@Geo_Baker_1) March 22, 2021
It’ll be hard not seeing Coach Boylan on the bus again or talking with him after a team meal. Those were MY most memorable moments with him. He was thoughtful, kind, wise, smart and one of the greatest storytellers ever. He was a special human. He will be greatly missed!!!
— Brandin Knight (@bknight20) March 22, 2021
Coach Boylan never missed an opportunity to make the people around him feel better. I will miss Coach Boylan dearly. Condolences to Molly and the entire Boylan family. My heart is heavy, but full of Joy and love for you Coach. They don’t make ‘em like you anymore. https://t.co/NiU1Aeyz3Z
— Stephen Hayn (@stephen_hayn) March 22, 2021
One of my favorite photos with Joe Boylan. This was with our engineer & friend Paul Shrager after Big 10 tournament at MSG a few years ago. Joe will be dearly missed! pic.twitter.com/zYyFkrEmth
— Jerry Recco (@JerryRecco) March 22, 2021
RIP Joe Boylan. Devastated isn’t even the word. One of my absolute favorite people, not just in the bball world, but in the ENTIRE world. Getting to know & spend time with him on the road these last 5 years was an honor. Was lucky to call him a friend. Will be sorely missed. ?? pic.twitter.com/9dcaluX4Fk
— Ben Asher (@Ben__Asher) March 22, 2021
Coach Boylan was truly one of the kindest, nicest people I have ever met. He would always ask how my son was, and how my golf game was treating me. I loved sitting next to him on the bus during road trips because his stories and passion were inspiring. Prayers to his family. https://t.co/uX7YzkF2Oq
— Ryan Pisarri (@RPisarri) March 22, 2021
Coach Boylan would have called me today and raved about the job @CoachPikiell did with this team. He would have told me how proud he was of the players. He would have asked about my family, made me laugh and thanked me for something. I will really miss my friend.
— Jay Young (@CoachJayYoung) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan did it all so well - as a coach, administrator & broadcaster. He did not have a mean bone in his body. His enthusiasm for basketball & for life, was contagious. Condolences to his family, #Rutgers nation & his broadcast partner @JerryRecco . RIP Joe. You were a gem.
— Bruce Beck (@BruceBeck4NY) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan’s enthusiasm for Rutgers basketball was infectious. You could feel it through the radio.
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) March 22, 2021
This is my favorite call of his. It captures the joy with which he did his job perfectly. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/jTWw3xZyEd
Deeply saddened by the passing of the longtime radio voice of @RutgersMBB, Joe Boylan. Joe will be missed, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his family – and the Scarlet Knights family.https://t.co/Wvq5FJ9Ga2 pic.twitter.com/AXs8lLSrrs
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 22, 2021
Sad to hear about the passing of former rutgers assistant radio analyst joe Boylan, 83, today a wonderful man who was the best college basketball had to offer
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) March 22, 2021
Wishing his family all the best at such a difficult time.
— Patrick Stevens (@D1scourse) March 22, 2021
There are so many folks who are going to miss Joe Boylan --- his kindness, his counsel, his decency --- and that's one of the best measures of a man there is.
Few finer men in the basketball community than Joe Boylan. He was part of historic ?@RutgersMBB? teams & a great AD at ?@LoyolaMaryland?. Thank for your wisdom, Joe. RIP https://t.co/8YsuVfhMnD
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan was a beautiful man. They do come any finer. @RutgersMBB @RUAthletics
— Ronald J. Garutti (@rgarutti) March 22, 2021
I’m a firm believer that the easiest and most impactful gesture we can perform as human beings is just being kind. Over the years, Joe showed me and so many others that.
— Mark Sell (@MarkSellRU) March 22, 2021
Everyone: just be kind, please. This world right now needs more people that represent was Joe was all about.
We love you coach Boylan. ???? https://t.co/JZZr6l53tD
— Kevin Lorincz (@Kevin_Lorincz) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan was an old-school kind of good person that we just don’t make today.
— Danny Breslauer (@DannyBreslauer) March 22, 2021
He texted me monthly to see how I was & to send his best wishes to my Dad.
We spoke on the phone 2 weeks ago.
I am devastated by his loss.
RIP, @Skipboylan.
He will be a #Rutgers legend forever. https://t.co/35DAK0mjvD
R.I.P. Joe Boylan ...one of the classiest...nicest gentlemen I was fortunate enough to know thru all these years. Joe...you were truly one of the good guys !! @RutgersMBB @RUAthletics
— Lou Brogno (@LouBrogno) March 22, 2021
So sad to hear about the death of Rutgers radio analyst Joe Boylan. Had no idea he was 83. Forget half his age--still had the enthusiasm and passion for hoops of someone 50-60 years younger. What a terrific person. Damn.
— J.P. Pelzman (@JPPelzman) March 22, 2021
R.I.P to my co-worker and friend Joe Boylan. @RutgersRadio won’t be the same without your presence.
— Paul Shrager (@scarletradio) March 22, 2021
RIP Coach Boylan. Genuine is the best way to describe you. Thank you for all the wisdom you shared with me about life. I truly treasure and miss our game day morning coffee discussions in hotel lobbies. May peace be with you. https://t.co/2DhLhkBho0
— Dalip Bhatia (@DalipBhatia) March 22, 2021
Great man. He will be missed by so many. ?? So glad I had the good fortune to know him. ?? https://t.co/qOpCaR2bme
— Kate Hickey (@kate_hickey) March 22, 2021
"He had a very kind soul. I just think he was a Rutgers hoop lifer. He had so much love for the game and the school." - Former RU hoopster Matt Madlinger on Joe Boylan story per @chiefstevfe_ https://t.co/Y5bgM5d7YJ
— Bobby Deren (@BobbyDeren) March 22, 2021
Our world is a lesser place without Mr. B. My heart goes out to the Boylan family and Loyola University. They dont come better than him. A truly special individual that made everyone around him better. https://t.co/TM1VeY8yWE
— David Pietramala (@CoachPetro43) March 22, 2021
I got to know Joe during our time together on the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Committee and we have remained in touch ever since. He was a voice of calm and reason, a joyful soul, so decent and caring. My thoughts go out to Molly, their family and the Loyola and Rutgers communities.
— Dom Starsia (@DomStarsiaPLL) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan had the kindest soul I have ever met in college athletics. He loved the players and treated them with respect and dignity. He supported his coaches completely. If you saw him after a loss it wasn’t because you lost, it was because he was checking on the staff.1/2
— Dave Cottle (@CoachCottle) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan was an absolutely incredible man who had an immeasurable impact on the @LoyolaHounds family. He was happy to take time for you and we regularly used a #Maryland/#Rutgers game as an excuse to catch up with him. I'm so very sorry to everyone who loved him.
— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) March 22, 2021
Such a great man. Joe was a member of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Committee back in the day and as an NCAA staff member I enjoyed working with him so much. Words can’t express the sorrow I feel at his passing. Sincere condolences to Molly and the entire Boylan (and Loyola) families.
— Jim Marchiony (@JMarchiony) March 22, 2021
Deeply saddened by the passing of a great man, friend and mentor to the entire @LoyolaHounds community Joe Boylan. Believed in all of us. A leader who wasn’t afraid to give you a second chance. Rest easy Mr. Boylan ?? pic.twitter.com/R4r95FTP3u
— Greg Manning Jr. (@G_Money_10) March 21, 2021
My heart was truly broken when I found out Coach Boylan passed away. Before last season was canceled, I was part of an impromptu roundtable about the 1975-76 @RutgersMBB team for which Coach was an assistant. I just remember the pride Coach spoke with, & who could forget
— Anthony Bonelli (@AntBonelli) March 22, 2021
As a young AD, I was fortunate to learn much from Joe's voice at MAAC meetings and was pleased our friendship continued during my time at Towson. He was a wise administrator but above all, a great family man. My heart goes out to Molly, Heather, Dave and Jake. RIP Joe. https://t.co/WXO9JDawvj
— Mike Hermann (@Hermann_sports) March 22, 2021
Sad day for all those who Mr. Boylan touched in his special way (and that was many). His impact on the lacrosse world was monumental. Such a great man who made all feel like they were his closest friend. Thinking of the Loyola family tonight.
— Bill Tierney (@DUCoachTierney) March 22, 2021
Prayers going out to @LoyolaMLAX & the Boylan family on the passing of former @LoyolaHounds AD Joe Boylan. “Mr. B” was a great mentor & role model for so many of us. It was always awesome to have him as our NCAA rep. A truly special person, he will be missed but not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/7nUZza75xe
— John Tillman (@CoachTillman1) March 22, 2021
Joe Boylan came to Minnesota with @RutgersMBB just two weeks ago. He told me stories about his favorite summer that he spent in Madison, Wisconsin in 1959. Somehow, he passed that French class.
— Jordan Ozer (@jozer07) March 22, 2021
An absolute legend. Joe will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/gnjN42n4nR
