Fred Boylen was a local and state Golden Gloves champion boxer in 1954, a standout diver, baseball player and two-time first-team All-State football player in 1956 and ‘57 for Catholic Central and then sometimes played both ways in football for Michigan State University.
He chose the Spartans over Notre Dame, played guard on offense and linebacker on defense at the very end of the two-way player era. He was the team captain of the Spartans in 1961, his senior season and played with the likes of Herb Adderley and Wayne Fontes.
After college he played semi-professional football with the now defunct Grand Rapids Blazers.
He worked in the insurance business for 30 years locally and owned a restaurant. The youngest of his three sons is Jim Boylen, currently the head coach of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Fred passed away in 2006 at the age of 67.