Dave Boyle ’83 Shares Moment of a Lifetime with Class of 2025

Boyle’s motivation for success can be traced back to the spring of 1978, when his high school guidance counselor told his mother not to waste her money on sending Boyle to college. Needless to say, the fire that was lit at that moment stayed with Boyle throughout his life.

“What that school counselor didn’t know is I am the son of a very proud Marine,” expressed Boyle. “My mother was a proud Marine in World War II. My dad was a military policeman in the Army, who would go on to be my high school principal at Malden High School. My father served 34 years as a high school principal, and he missed zero days of school.”

Boyle learned important life lessons from his parents, values that led him down a path that was in line with the mission of Springfield College. It became a journey about helping people and providing service to others.

“My parents taught me to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves. You help those who can’t help themselves. And you defend those who can’t defend themselves,” expressed Boyle. 

With his Humanics values at his core, Boyle described to the graduates how he measures his success in life, and it isn’t judged by the material things you can read about in his biography.

“I worked three jobs at SC, and I worked extremely hard, and that stayed with me in my professional life,” explained Boyle. “Yes, I have been able to oversee national sales for every national chain restaurant in New England. I am one of the owners of Fat Boy Security, yes I am fat boy. I was able to work security for the Olympic Games, World Cup soccer, and endless concerts. Yes, I am very successful, but I only say that because of how I measure success. I measure it by having strong friendships and relationships with people. Not by measuring success with dollars and material goods. I am successful because I have so many great friendships and relationships with so many great people. And that started at Springfield College.”

Another important Boyle family lesson he learned from his parents is always giving back. For more than four decades, Boyle has stayed committed to Springfield College on many different levels. Whether it’s giving back financially, or mentoring current students at alumni networking events, or helping orchestrate campus tours for prospective students, Boyle is quick to share his love for the College because it’s genuine. The College community has supported Boyle from his very first day on the campus.”

“Springfield College is home for me,” expressed Boyle. “I am honored to support the College and serve as president of the Michael West Eastern Massachusetts Alumni Association. One of the greatest honors in my life was receiving the prestigious Tarbell Medallion in 2008 as part of the alumni awards ceremony.”

Boyle is a familiar face at Springfield College events that bring together faculty, staff, and fellow alumni. From Reunion and Homecoming, to the annual A Taste of Humanics fundraiser, Boyle stays connected with the College because of the friendships he maintains with faculty, staff, and alumni, who are part of his extended family.

“I am so proud to work with Emeritus Professor Peter Polito and his wife Claire every year supporting the Friends in Humanics Scholarship,” expressed Boyle. “Peter was my physics teacher when I was a student, so needless to say, we go way back. Peter and all of the Distinguished Springfield Professors of Humanics do a great job raising money for current students. It always feels like spending time with family when I am on campus.”

And speaking of family, Boyle’s journey to Springfield College started in 1979 when he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Mike Boyle ’81. Mike is one of the foremost experts in strength and conditioning, functional training, and general fitness. He is a cofounder of Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, one of the first companies of its kind in the world, a career that is rooted at Springfield College.

“Mike was my idol and I obviously wanted to follow him to Springfield College,” explained Boyle. “I spent my days at SC being known as ‘Mike’s brother.’”