WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley University community and men's basketball program is mourning the sudden passing of men's basketball player Joe Glynn (Abington/Cardinal Spellman HS).

Glynn, who completed his freshman year at Bentley last month, collapsed Monday evening while playing in the Watertown Summer Basketball League.  He was later pronounced dead at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge.

"There are honestly no words to describe how we all feel right now," said head coach Jay Lawson. "To a man, we're completely devastated as Joey was the real deal in so many ways.  He was a very special guy who just had a way about him that created a positive feeling for everyone involved. 

"As an athlete, he was absolutely a tough, hardnosed, smart competitor who was willing to do whatever the team needed at all times.  More importantly, Joe was a wonderful friend, teammate and person of impeccable character who always projected himself in an extremely humble and reliable fashion. 

"Without a doubt, he was one of the finest kids I have ever been associated with in 30-plus years of education," praised the veteran coach. "It's heartbreaking that he's gone at such a young age."

A six-foot-five forward, Glynn started 16 games during his freshman season while playing close to 17 minutes a game. He opened his career with nine points and six rebounds off the bench against Caldwell College, and gave the Falcons at least five rebounds seven times, including three of his last four games. His work on the boards was important to the team's success with Bentley 5-2 when he claimed five or more rebounds.

Glynn, who was two months shy of his 20th birthday, also experienced success in the classroom with a GPA over 3.0 during his freshman year.  He came to Bentley from Cardinal Spellman High School where he was a two-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic. During his high school year, he had the unique experience of playing in the state basketball playoffs at the TD Bank Garden and in the football Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.

Glynn is survived by his parents, Joseph and Susan, and four sisters, Kelly (26), Sarah (24), Stephanie (22) and Ashley (13).

This is the second time in three-and-a-half years that tragedy has hit the Bentley men's basketball program. In January 2010, team manager Sean Williams lost his life in an automobile accident.        

Tributes to Joe Glynn
Boston Herald
Brockton Enterprise
Lynn Item
Patriot Ledger
Boston Globe