NLL Insider

Tom Borrelli, speaking at his Hall of Fame induction last year (Courtesy: Buffalo News)

Borrelli, the only member of the media enshrined in the NLL’s Hall of Fame (inducted in 2007), was 51 years old.

From the first report of his fall, tributes and well wishes flew in for the well-respected journalist, both from his colleagues at the Buffalo News and from various readers and friends via a Blog set up by the News for people to comment on and send their regards.

After Borrelli’s passing on Thursday, we began to get some emails expressing the profound loss to the lacrosse world that had just occurred, so we sent out some word to the Buffalo community to share their thoughts on the man they called ‘Ox’ and what he meant to the game.

I’ll give you a quick story of how good Tom Borelli was as a reporter and how respected he was by teams and the league alike.
I don’t remember the year but at the time our PR guy was having some trouble with some stats. I can’t even remember what the stat was. He went to websites, the league office and couldn’t get the info he was looking for. Finally, we decided to call Tom and ask him. Not only did he know the answer/information, he had a way for us to confirm it and we were able to use it in the story we were writing about a particular player. In fact, before we confirmed the story, the league PR guy said something along the lines of….well, if Tom said it, we trust it to be accurate.
Tom was a great writer and more importantly a wonderful person. I can’t tell you how many great conversations I’ve had with him over the years…..he will truly be missed.
-Kurt Silcott, Rochester Knighthawks (Former Buffalo Bandits and Calgary Roughnecks GM)

Mr. Borelli was a pioneer for all of HS sport. Coming from Long Island, I want lacrosse on the cover page everyday of the week. Mr. Borelli took chances on this sport and put it out there, got us respect from the common Western New York sports fan that used too have no idea the sport ever existed. This man will be irreplaceable in the HS sports community as what he as done for us in WNY is nothing short of a lifetime accomplishment.
-Stefan Henn, Amherst Central

On behalf of the Western NY Lacrosse for Kids Foundation, the Fastbreak Lacrosse Camp of WNY and Sweet Home Lacrosse, we are incredibly saddened by the recent death of Tom Borrelli. The WNY Lacrosse Community is in shock. Tom and his colleagues at the Buffalo News have really worked hard to spotlight lacrosse over the years. Tom was a very consistent contributor to our local lacrosse scene and he will be sorely missed. We wish to send our deepest sympathy to his wife, family and friends. We appreciate everything Tom has given to WNY Lacrosse and the local sports scene!
-Jeremy Murphy, WNY Lacrosse for Kids Foundation; Fastbreak Lacrosse Camp; Sweet Home Lacrosse

Tom did an article years back on me. I was having health difficulties at the time. Every year he would ask me about my health and how my daughter was doing. He lived in Tonawanda where I worked with a high school football team, and would would ask me about the team and who there was to watch on the field. He was very personable and knowledgeable, always quick a joke and a smile. He loved the game and the people of lacrosse. I will miss not having him around during games.
-John Craig, Buffalo Bandits

In the lacrosse community in Buffalo, everyone knows each other and the loss of Tom is going to be a big blow to the community. Tom was able to bring a unique angle to story, he didn’t report just scores or the game, but often would add a personal side that would engage the readers. His insight on the NLL was a must-read to the avid fan. In a Bills and Sabres town he brought the Bandits to the front page of the sports section. And with the recent success of Canisius College men’s lacrosse team he was able to give them the media attention they deserved. Western New York lost a great writer and Western New York lacrosse lost a great friend.
-Michael Burke, Bishop Timon

I met Tom through lacrosse. Tom did his job and took pride in it, evidenced by all the great stories he wrote about the game. Tom became part of the lacrosse community and was friends with the players and our families. My father really enjoyed Tom’s company. Every time I saw Tom he would ask how my family was doing. Tom didn’t just talk to you to get the story, he would talk to you about everything that was going on in your life and otherwise. Tom took the time to know the game and more importantly know the people. Tom was a part of the Bandits as much as the coaches and the players. God bless Tom’s family and know that he will be sorely missed.
-Pat McCready, Buffalo Bandits

Let me say a little something about Mr. Tom Borelli. From my first day with the Bandits to his last day with the team a few weeks ago at a tryout, Mr. Borelli was there 90 percent of the time. During my first month I thought Tom was a stats guy on the Bandit payroll. Tom would show up to practices at HSBC and even to practices 15 minutes west of St. Catherines in Ontario. Then one day I seen him doing an interview with John Tavares holding a tape recorder. It was then I realized he was a reporter who just loved lacrosse. As I got to know him over the year, he would walk by and congratulate me for my son about a game he had in high school. Whether it was box or field, Mr. Borelli was a person who knew and loved the game of lacrosse. My sympathy goes out to his family and I know he will be sadly missed in Banditland. Last year was for fun, but this year is for Tom. Lets Go Bandits!
-Emmett Printup, Buffalo Bandits

Tom was a great guy. You could tell he loved covering sports especially lacrosse and the Bandits. He really enjoyed being around the team and we certainly enjoyed having him around us. Being from the Buffalo area, Tom and I would usually talk about local high school and college lacrosse. Last season during training camp (my first with Buffalo) when I would see Tom he would tell me that he was pulling for me to make the squad and was really excited. Tom was part of our team, we are really going to miss having him around.
-Joe Smith, Buffalo Bandits

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