Vincent J. Boryla

Vincent J. Boryla, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016. Vince Boryla, born March 11, 1927, is a retired professional basketball player, coach and executive. He graduated from East Chicago Washington High School in 1944, attended the University of Notre Dame at the age of 17 and gained All-American honors in 1946. He was a member of the 1948 U.S Olympic team, which won the gold medal in the London games. Mr. Boryla played for the New York Knicks in the early 1950's, where, in a five-year career, was the star forward-center and team captain. He then became the Knicks' coach from 1956 to 1958. After coming back to Denver to launch his business ventures, Mr. Boryla was involved in landing an American Basketball Association franchise for Denver in the late 1960's but was not active in basketball again until he became President and General Manager of the Utah Stars in Salt Lake City in 1970. During his four years with the Stars, the team had the best win-loss record in the ABA. He became the President and General Manager of the Denver Nuggets in 1984, winning the NBA Executive of the Year Award. He retired in 1987. Mr. Boryla has been inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the National Polish-American Hall of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. A shrewd businessman and sports enthusiast, Mr. Boryla pursued real estate investing and generous philanthropy. He enjoyed handball, racquetball and time with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all. Recitation of the Rosary will be held Friday, April 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm, St. John Francis Regis Chapel, on the Regis University North Denver campus, 3333 Regis Blvd., Denver, CO 80221. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 10:00 am, Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 1900 California St., Denver, CO 80202. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Father Woody Fund - Regis University, 3333 Regis Boulevard, B-16, Denver CO USA 80221-1099. Please share memories and condolences with the family in the guestbook below.