University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Kevin Boyle announces retirement as UNI men’s basketball radio analyst
3/9/2022 10:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI men's basketball radio analyst Kevin Boyle has announced his retirement from broadcasting. The longtime former UNI assistant coach turned broadcaster will finish the remainder of the 2021-22 season on the Panther Sports Radio Network, which will include the UNI's NIT Tournament run.
"After 21 years working alongside one of the best play-by-play announcers (Gary Rima) in the country, I have decided to give an opportunity to someone aspiring what I have had for the last two decades.," Boyle said in a statement. ", I have decided to give an opportunity to someone aspiring what I have had for the last two decades. I want to thank the University of Northern Iowa and Learfield for the awesome experience. Last but not least, I am proud of being affiliated with the program that has one of the highest graduation rates in the country. If I were to have had a son, I would have been proud to see him play for Coach Jacobson and his staff."
A native of Chicago, Boyle played four seasons of college basketball at the University of Iowa under hall of fame coach Lute Olson, averaging 10.2 points per game in 118 games. Boyle helped lead the Hawkeyes to the 1978-79 Big Ten regular season championship as a freshman and four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1980 Final Four as a sophomore. In 1981, under Coach Olson, Boyle played for Team USA at the World University Games in Bucharest, Romania, helping the Americans win gold.
Boyle was drafted in the sixth round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, ultimately playing three seasons professionally in Europe. At the conclusion of his playing career, Boyle joined the UNI coaching staff under head coach Eldon Miller in 1986, helping the Panthers reach the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in program history with a Mid-Continent Tournament title in 1990.
After 12 seasons on the bench, Boyle left coaching following the 1997-98 season and entered a career in finance with Lincoln Savings Bank in Reinbeck, Iowa, where he still works today as Vice President of Commercial Insurance. Boyle returned to UNI in 2001 as a broadcaster, joining play-by-play announcer Gary Rima as the radio analyst for men's basketball on the Panther Sports Radio Network and UNI's flagship broadcasting station 1540 KXEL. The broadcasting duo of Boyle and Rima have called just over 670 games together, including four MVC regular season championship, five MVC Tournament titles and seven NCAA Tournament seasons for the Panthers.
"Kevin Boyle has been a part of UNI basketball for 33 years," said UNI radio play-by-play broadcaster Gary Rima, who announced he too will be retiring at the end of the season this past fall. "He has been an insightful commentator and great advocate and supporter of UNI basketball, but more than that he has become a close friend! I have enjoyed all the games, all the travel and all the great times we have had at the games during broadcasts and away from the arena too! He did a great job and will be missed for sure!"
"The experience and perspective that Kevin brought to our game day broadcasts was a huge part of why Panther Nation enjoyed listening to Gary and him so much over the years," said Brian Gabel, General Manager of Panther Sports Properties. "From playing, to coaching, to broadcasting, Kevin's been around the game for his whole life. I know he's excited to spend more time with his wife and daughters and continue to cheer on the Panthers. We congratulate him and wish him well in retirement, and look forward to continuing to see him around the team! Congratulations Kevin!"
"After 21 years working alongside one of the best play-by-play announcers (Gary Rima) in the country, I have decided to give an opportunity to someone aspiring what I have had for the last two decades.," Boyle said in a statement. ", I have decided to give an opportunity to someone aspiring what I have had for the last two decades. I want to thank the University of Northern Iowa and Learfield for the awesome experience. Last but not least, I am proud of being affiliated with the program that has one of the highest graduation rates in the country. If I were to have had a son, I would have been proud to see him play for Coach Jacobson and his staff."
A native of Chicago, Boyle played four seasons of college basketball at the University of Iowa under hall of fame coach Lute Olson, averaging 10.2 points per game in 118 games. Boyle helped lead the Hawkeyes to the 1978-79 Big Ten regular season championship as a freshman and four NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1980 Final Four as a sophomore. In 1981, under Coach Olson, Boyle played for Team USA at the World University Games in Bucharest, Romania, helping the Americans win gold.
Boyle was drafted in the sixth round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, ultimately playing three seasons professionally in Europe. At the conclusion of his playing career, Boyle joined the UNI coaching staff under head coach Eldon Miller in 1986, helping the Panthers reach the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in program history with a Mid-Continent Tournament title in 1990.
After 12 seasons on the bench, Boyle left coaching following the 1997-98 season and entered a career in finance with Lincoln Savings Bank in Reinbeck, Iowa, where he still works today as Vice President of Commercial Insurance. Boyle returned to UNI in 2001 as a broadcaster, joining play-by-play announcer Gary Rima as the radio analyst for men's basketball on the Panther Sports Radio Network and UNI's flagship broadcasting station 1540 KXEL. The broadcasting duo of Boyle and Rima have called just over 670 games together, including four MVC regular season championship, five MVC Tournament titles and seven NCAA Tournament seasons for the Panthers.
"Kevin Boyle has been a part of UNI basketball for 33 years," said UNI radio play-by-play broadcaster Gary Rima, who announced he too will be retiring at the end of the season this past fall. "He has been an insightful commentator and great advocate and supporter of UNI basketball, but more than that he has become a close friend! I have enjoyed all the games, all the travel and all the great times we have had at the games during broadcasts and away from the arena too! He did a great job and will be missed for sure!"
"The experience and perspective that Kevin brought to our game day broadcasts was a huge part of why Panther Nation enjoyed listening to Gary and him so much over the years," said Brian Gabel, General Manager of Panther Sports Properties. "From playing, to coaching, to broadcasting, Kevin's been around the game for his whole life. I know he's excited to spend more time with his wife and daughters and continue to cheer on the Panthers. We congratulate him and wish him well in retirement, and look forward to continuing to see him around the team! Congratulations Kevin!"
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