** A funeral Mass will be held for Frank Layden at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, UT at 11 a.m. Mountain Time on Saturday, July 12.  Frank will be prayed for at the Niagara University campus masses this weekend and a Memorial Mass will be held for him at a later date.

Niagara University and the Department of Athletics mourn the loss of Frank Layden '55, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 93.

Throughout his life and career, Frank, a member of Niagara University's Class of 1955, truly exemplified what it means to be a Purple Eagle. He was a professional and collegiate basketball coaching legend, and his Vincentian spirit shone brightly as a supporter of numerous community organizations, as well as of his alma mater. 

"Frank had the unique ability to be larger than life yet able to care for those in his circle on a personal level," Associate Vice President for Athletics Simon Gray said.  "Although it has been 70 years since he graduated, I am confident that Niagara was on his mind at some point of every day since.  He consistently checked in with his alma mater and showed his love for Monteagle Ridge in a myriad of ways. We will miss him dearly."

The former basketball player returned to Niagara in 1968 as the team's head coach for eight seasons, guiding it to 119 wins and two National Invitational Tournament appearances, as well as to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

In 1976, Frank left collegiate athletics. After several seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, he joined the New Orleans Jazz as general manager, adding head coaching duties when the team moved to Utah. From 1981-89, Frank's team made the playoffs in five straight seasons and he was named 1984 NBA Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. He remained as general manager of the team through 1998, guiding the Jazz to the top of the NBA. The team averaged 55 wins per season over his last 10 years with the organization and advanced to the NBA finals twice.

His achievements earned him induction into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and the Niagara University Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Frank's service to the community was just as outstanding. He volunteered with numerous charities, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society; the Boys and Girls Club; the Utah chapter for the Prevention of Child Abuse; and the Haven, an alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation program. In 1984, he was the first non-player to receive the NBA's Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. 

Frank was also an active supporter of both NU's athletics and theatre programs, and he has graced Niagara's stage several times. In 2001, he performed "Love Letters" with his wife, Barbara, and in 2004, he reprised his starring role in "That Championship Season," 30 years after he originally performed in that production. In December 2014, Niagara officially unveiled the newly named Frank and Barbara Layden Court in the Gallagher Center as a testament to their outstanding legacy at Niagara University.

Niagara has been privileged to honor Frank for his outstanding support with several awards, including the President's Medal, NU's highest honor. He was also the recipient of an honorary degree in pedagogy, the Dunleavy Award, the Niagara Legacy Alumni of Distinction Award and, with Barbara, the St. Vincent de Paul Award.

Frank has been a great friend of Niagara University, and will always be remembered for his wit, wisdom, loyalty, and generosity.

Utah Jazz: https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/honoring-frank-layden-a-foundational-figure-for-the-utah-jazz

WGRZ: https://www.wgrz.com/article/life/niagara-university-graduate-coach-frank-layden-dies/71-c5aeb91e-ced4-4a89-b671-a710f702d5ce