Boyce Family Gift Funds Renovations of Varsity Weight Room

This fall, St. John Fisher University student-athletes are training in a renovated space, thanks to the generosity of alumnus and trustee Daniel J. Boyce ’79 and his wife, Shelley.

The newly named Boyce Family Varsity Weight Room, located in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center, features new flooring, a raised ceiling, and new lighting and windows. The entire space is also being branded with Fisher Athletics imagery, creating a large, bright, space for athletes and students to train throughout the year.

“Fisher Athletics has built a reputation of excellence; in fact, our student-athletes have earned 98 Empire 8 Championships during our time with the conference,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the University. “The renovations to our varsity weight room, made possible by Dan and Shelley’s philanthropy, ensures that our student-athletes have access to state-of-the-art training and conditioning facilities needed to remain at the top of their chosen sports. We are grateful to the Boyce family for their generosity and continuing support.”

A high-use space on campus, nearly 725 student-athletes use the facilities for weekly team training sessions; the weight room is available for general student use, as well. The Buffalo Bills also use the space when they are on campus for training camp; and were among the first to use the newly renovated facilities.

“As a former collegiate student-athlete, I know the value of an exceptional student-athlete experience; one that builds life skills and provides leadership opportunities that will serve them after their collegiate careers,” said Boyce. “The training atmosphere and athletic facilities are at the center of that experience, and I am so pleased we were able to invest in these spaces to enhance the experience for Fisher athletics teams.”

Boyce joined the University’s Board of Trustees in 2021. In addition to a gift to fund the varsity weight room renovations, Boyce’s philanthropy created the Boyce Family Endowed Scholarship in 2020. They have also funded scholarships, research, and athletics programs at the University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Temple University, and the University of Delaware.

A general practice attorney, Boyce founded the Law Office of Daniel J. Boyce, Esq. in 1998, concentrating in maritime law and civil litigation. A 1979 graduate of Fisher, he also holds juris doctor and master of laws degrees from Temple University School of Law, where he served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Legal Studies at the Fox School of Business.