Jack Doyle
John Francis Doyle, 80, formerly of Vermillion, died at home in Encinitas, CA, on Sept. 6, 2013.
Jack's life and legacy will be celebrated at a memorial Mass at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Vermillion, followed by a gathering at 5:30 at Howler's Bar & Grille (formerly The Prairie). Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City.
Born on March 15, 1933, to Irish immigrants John and Helen Kissane Doyle of New York City, Jack joined the National Guard's "Fighting 69th" at 15. He sold concessions at Yankee Stadium, Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds.
He attended the University of Wyoming on a track scholarship, earning bachelor's and master's degrees. He married Lois Naslund of Faith, SD, on June 30, 1955.
Jack taught and coached in Faith and Lead, then joined the University of South Dakota staff in 1971. He co-coached a USD/SDSU basketball team that made diplomatic history by playing Cuba's national team in Havana.
While he was athletic director, the Coyotes won 21 NCC championships and played in the NCAA football championship game and the Division II national basketball tournament. He initiated numerous upgrades to the DakotaDome.
Jack was honored by USD, the North Central Conference and the National Assoc. of College Directors of Athletics. He worked at the USD Foundation until retiring in 2010.
Mentoring student athletes and his coaching staffs was one of Jack's greatest joys. A loyal team player, he loved his adopted state and its people. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Vermillion Lions Club.
Survivors include Lois; children Mary, Anne (Hal) Rosner, Lisa Reynolds, Daniel (Karen) and Kerry of San Diego, and Michael (Dixie) and Christopher (Beth) of Rapid City; 17 grandchildren; sister Eleanor (Joseph) O'Connor; brother Joseph (Terry); sister-in-law Enid Doyle; sister- and brother-in-law Mary and James Riley; and 15 nieces and nephews. His parents, brother Dennis and nephew Darren Doyle preceded him in death.
The USD Foundation has established a Jack Doyle Scholarship Fund. The family may be contacted at P.O. Box 372, Vermillion SD, 57069.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Dear Lois: We are so sorry to read of Jack's passing. Please know we are thinking of you and remembering good times past-(how many years ago?)_Dick and Barb Shilvock (now in Prescott, Az)
October 15, 2013
Coach Doyle was a very kind man. While I was at USD playing football and track in the mid 70's, I watched Coach Doyle help so many people with his leadership and work example. May the Lord bless his soul, and bless his family...
Mike Lee
September 15, 2013
Jack was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Tim Johnson
September 15, 2013
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