Vince Boryla had an itinerant college career, as World War II interrupted his studies. Beginning at Notre Dame in 1943-44, he then played for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team after being drafted for military service. Boryla spent one plebe summer at the US Naval Academy, before returning to Notre Dame for the 1945-46 season. He played in 1947-48 with the Denver Nuggets in the AAU leagues and also made AAU All-America, after finishing his military commitment. Boryla transferred to the University of Denver after the Olympics, graduating in 1949. He was one of the oldest collegiate All-Americans ever at 28-years-old.
Boryla played in the NBA for five years with the New York Knicks. In 1954 he retired as a player but coached the Knicks until 1958. He also spent some years as general manager of the Utah Stars in the ABA, leading them to an ABA Championship. He settled in Denver and became general manager of the Denver Nuggets, being named NBA Executive of the Year in 1985. In Denver Boryla became one of the area’s most successful real estate developers and was know for his charitable and philanthropic work. He was the father of NFL football player Mike Boryla.
United States