Bravettes honor former coach, rename home park 'Boyle Field'
<p><strong>Flathead athletics</strong> legend Gene Boyle and his wife, Barb, smile during a dedication ceremony at the Conrad Complex before the Flathead Bravettes softball game on Tuesday. Wherever the Bravettes play home games now will be called Barb and Gene Boyle Field. Gene Boyle spent 45 years in education ranging from activities director at Flathead High School to principal at St. Matthew’s School. He worked with students from kindergarten through 12th grade, coached champions in football, basketball, track, baseball and softball, and organized nearly every kind …
When the chorus of friends and family who gathered in the stands at Conrad Complex finished singing a verse of “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” Gene Boyle kept bellowing.
“Mister bluebird on my shoulder/ It’s the truth/ It’s actual /Everything is satisfactual!”
And it was.
The contingent of Kalispell community members, lost in a gaze as the former Flathead High School activities director and softball coach made his way to home plate along side wife Barb Boyle during Tuesday’s Barb and Gene Boyle Field dedication ceremony, were reminded of what makes him so special.
“When you talk about Flathead High School, you think of the spirit of Gene Boyle,” current Flathead activities director Bryce Wilson said. “As a former player, that’s what I always think about when I think of Flathead. I think of the cheers that he led and the spirit that he provided the student body. That’s what today was about.”
Boyle took over head coaching duties of Flathead softball in 1998, leading the Bravettes to two consecutive third-place finishes before a state championship in 2003.
It was at Conrad Complex where the Bravettes hoisted the championship trophy after beating Missoula Sentinel, 7-2. Tasia Gates, the current head coach of Flathead softball, played for Boyle on that championship squad and stood with her former coach and his wife at home plate as the “Boyle Field” banner was unveiled in right field.
“I don’t know how to describe it. It was exciting. It was a really neat experience, but it was emotional,” Gates said. “I know it meant a lot to Gene and Barb, but it meant a lot to me to be a part of it. He’s a positive coach that inspired me to take the route that I took. He means a lot to me.”
Boyle is Flathead softball and so much more.
He was first hired by Flathead in 1976 as a math teacher and football coach. Just four years later, he was named assistant principal and activities director while leading the Braves to a state runner-up finish on the gridiron.
Holding his Flathead tenure for 22 years before becoming the principal of Saint Matthew’s School in 1998, Boyle touched the lives of everyone he encountered, paving the way for a new generation of leaders.
Flathead principal Peter Fusaro and Glacier High School activities director Mark Dennehy were both on hand to pay tribute to their former colleague and mentor. The two administrators each spent time as Flathead’s activities director and worked directly with Boyle.
“After coach Boyle left Flathead High School he went over to St. Matthew’s and was the principal over there. My wife was a teacher there and my daughter played ball for him so that was pretty special,’” Fusaro said. “I think it’s important to honor those who come before you and respect what they’ve done because they care so deeply and are the ones who help build this. For a lot of us that’s who you play for.”
“Gene is the epitome of what education is all about. He takes care of kids, coaches, and teachers. He’s very selfless,” Dennehy said. “Early on in my career, Gene was over every day. He mentored me along. Any question I had he’d provide me with good insight. He was always very helpful.”
The list of those effected by Boyle’s generosity goes on and on, and the crowd at Conrad Complex can attest to it, making Tuesday a joyous ceremony despite Boyle’s condition.
Boyle was diagnosed with dementia in July of 2011. While the disease continues to consume the Flathead legend, it hardly defines him.
Arm in arm with his wife of 46 years, the Boyles hardly let their smiles dissipate from their faces as the community continued to honor a hero.
“It was wonderful,” Barb Boyle said. “There were so many people that we don’t normally see all the time. It was great to see their faces and have them be so supportive of him. He’s just a special person. He’s kind of larger than life sometimes. He has that influence on people and it’s been great.”
It’s amazing to see what one man can do for a community. Neither championships nor coaching accolades can truly measure the impact of Boyle’s contributions to Kalispell.
But the people can.