Men's Soccer Alum Remembered at Second Annual Game
Friends and family celebrated the memory of men’s soccer alumnus Bovey Masiole Balyesele ’13, MBA ’14 in front of a sellout crowd at home as the Griffins competed against Slippery Rock University October 19.
Dean of Students and Diversity Officer Keisha Jimmerson and Head Men’s Soccer Coach Dilveer Chaggar organized a celebratory day to remember Bovey, who died in May 2023 at the age of 36.
This is the second annual game to remember Bovey with his family, friends and alumni. The event also raises funds to support the Bovey Masiole Balyesele Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
After Bovey’s passing in 2023, his wife Kathryn created the Bovey Masiole Balyesele Memorial Endowed Scholarship to support other international men’s soccer players who wish to achieve the same dreams Bovey had accomplished in his college and professional careers.
Bovey was born in the rural town of Mwanza, Tanzania where he understood the value of education early on and started to dream of higher education in the United States. He arrived at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ in the fall of 2009 with one bag and no winter coat and found a home and family on the Hill.
Bovey’s wife Kathryn and his children Ada Lulu and Mika Masiole along with other friends and family were in attendance at the game.
Though the Griffins narrowly lost the game by a single goal 4-3, the day was a win for Bovey’s friends and family. During the game, a memorial T-shirt sale and basket raffle raised more than $500, which will provide additional support for the memorial scholarship.
If you would like to support the Bovey Masiole Balyesele Memorial Endowed Scholarship, you can .
After the match, Bovey’s friends and family gathered in the Greensburg Room for a reception to enjoy some of his favorite foods including samosas, peri-peri chicken, tres leches cake, and Coca-Cola.