UMass mourns death of four-year letterwinner Michael Boland
UMass football alum and captain Michael Boland passed away suddenly in his Maryland home Saturday, the school announced Wednesday. He was 23.
Boland, a four-year letterwinner who had just graduated this past fall, had started in 32 of his final 36 games at right guard for the Minutemen, earning All-Independent honors as a senior.
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“We are extremely saddened by Michael’s passing and send our heartfelt condolences to the Boland family,” UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford said in a statement. “Michael was a special young man whose considerable success in the classroom, in competition and in the community positively influenced our football program and this University.”
His father, Michael Sr., released a statement expressing sadness for the 6-foot-6, 318-pounder from Rockville.
“Michael Jr. was a legend in DC sports as an All-Met football and basketball player. He scored 1,000 more points than Roy Hibbert did at Georgetown Prep. Yet he was humble to the core,” his father said, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. “He wanted to help build UMass and feels the program will achieve great success if people are patient. Our great sadness is immeasurable but so has been the support of the school. Go UMass!”
In addition to his father, Michael Jr. is survived by his mother, Pamela; brother, Kelsey; and sisters, Brooke and Maggie.
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“Michael was a very special person,” UMass coach Mark Whipple said in a release. “He was an offensive captain and a role model for the young people on our football team, on the field and in the classroom.”
