Brophy honored by Alumni Association

Edward Brophy earns Vincent V. Albanese Achievement Award for contributions to the community and IBHOF.

CANASTOTA » The Canastota Alumni Association has chosen Edward P. Brophy as the recipient of the Vincent V. Albanese Achievement Award for his contributions to the community and the boxing profession.

Brophy, a Canastota native, graduated from Canastota Central Schools in 1976 where he participated in basketball and track as well as becoming an amateur boxer from 1974 through 1977. In the 1980s, Brophy attended Onondaga Community College and worked for Bruno Coin Machines. During this time he promoted professional boxing shows and was also known as a trainer, manager and historian.

Following a two-year term as treasurer of the Carmen Basilio-Billy Backus Showcase committee and possessing an all-encompassing interest in the boxing profession, Brophy was appointed executive director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in March of 1984. At that time, a World Boxing Hall of Fame existed on the West Coast in name only. Under Brophy’s leadership, the IBHOF museum opened in 1989 with the initial Induction Weekend occurring in 1990. With Brophy coordinating the finance, design and construction, an addition to the museum and an events pavilion were completed by 2003. With his guidance and the assistance of many volunteers, these structures and their contents, including the Madison Square Garden’s 1925-2007 ring, serve to preserve

boxing history. This complex is world famous as the only place where boxers, ex boxers and fans may observe exhibits and memora- bilia fromthe past and present. Brophy’s accomplishments have been lauded in boxing magazines such as The Ring and KO as well as in domestic and foreign newspapers. The IBHOF has been featured on HBO, Showtime and ESPN as well as in Sports Illustrated, US Today and the Wall Street Journal.

The awards Brophy has received from1990-2010 include Ring 76, World Boxing Assoc. Lifetime Achievement, World Boxing Man of the Year, Professional Ringside Physicians Lifetime Achievement (for contribu- tions to boxer’s self-esteem) and the Lew Andreas Community Service. Brophy was also inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in April of 2016 and to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in October of 2016.

Brophy’s community involvement has included serving as Purple Haze Youth Center President in 1975-76, and acting as a mentor to youngsters in need of guidance. He received awards from the Canastota Chamber of Commerce, Madison County Tourism and has been placed on the Canastota Central School District Wall of Distinction.

Brophy will be honored at the Alumni Banquet at the Rusty Rail Party House on Saturday, June 24. Alumni, guests and the public are invited. Tickets are $25. Reservations by June 17 to Charlene Barres, (315) 264-2044 or charbarres@aim.co.

Brophy