Bullnation loses another huge member

[Guest bullman33]

For anyone associated with the Bulls over the long haul, they certainly have heard of long time Bull supporter, Jack Boyd.   He is the lbiggest private donor in USF history giving over $5million last year.  He recently lost a battle to cancer.  Sounds like he went out the way he wanted.  Read the touching story below.

God Bless Jack and his family.

A look back at the ultimate supporter

By GREG AUMANN

Published November 2, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When former USF basketball player Bradley Mosley lost a yearlong battle with kidney cancer Saturday, it marked the second time in two weeks that the Bulls lost a member of their athletic family.

Mosley's death is especially tragic because he was only 22, and touching because of the way he inspired his teammates and fans in the past year. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a more loyal or active supporter of Bulls athletics than Homosassa's Jack Boyd, who died Oct.15 at age 65 after battling liver cancer.

"It was incredible, not just how much he loved the Bulls, but how much he appreciated life," said USF baseball coach Eddie Cardieri, who visited Boyd in September with football coach Jim Leavitt, sharing an airboat ride and dinner at his Citrus County home.

Boyd was part of USF's first graduating class in 1963 and was the first president of USF's alumni association. The son of a Brahman cattle breeder, he and a classmate have been credited for helping choose "Bulls" as the young school's mascot.

Boyd and his wife, Janis, a 1973 USF graduate, announced in 2003 that they were pledging an estate gift totaling $7.5-million toward USF scholarships in business and athletics, the largest philanthropy by an alumnus.

"Any campaign we ever started, Jack was at the forefront," said Joe Tomaino, director of major gifts for the USF Bulls Club.

The Boyds hosted a small "Around the Horns" booster gathering in Homosassa in June, and when USF made its Big East football debut in September with a resounding upset of then-No. 9 Louisville, Boyd went out to midfield to preside over the opening coin toss.

Just before USF's football game at Pittsburgh, Boyd was told by doctors that his cancer had progressed to the point that he likely had only a day to live. He and Janis went home and he told her he wanted to put on his green Bulls blazer and a favorite Big East shirt, and died peacefully in his easy chair.

"He said he wanted to go out as a Bull," Tomaino said.

[Cubanbull]

God bless him and his family

[Kyle]

[Guest bullman33]

If we have a #12 pinned to the board, we should also have a ribbon with Boyd on it.  This guy gave a lot to the university in terms of physical and financial support.  He was a true diehard and he should be recognized.  

[Apis Bull]

If we have a #12 pinned to the board, we should also have a ribbon with Boyd on it.  This guy gave a lot to the university in terms of physical and financial support.  He was a true diehard and he should be recognized.  

How's this:

[The Sheriff]

Thank you to the Boyd's for loving our University as much as I do... what a way to go out... chilling in your Bulls gear. I want to be buried in my Bulls jersey myself... just personal preference.

Rest in peace and go pal around with Bradley Mosley, and ET's little Bull until the rest of us can join you up there.

[smazza]

i had the pleasure of eating with him and his wife during a road game last year

he was the number one bull fan

whAT A nice guy

[Apis Bull]

Bump

[Guest bullman33]

How's this:

LOOKS GREAT!

[The_Reaper]

Wow if he isn't in the HOF he should be!   Reaper