(Photo: Georgia Athletics Director Vince Dooley (right) accepts the John L. Toner Award from the honor's namesake in 2004.)

John Toner, a leading figure in college athletics for more than five decades and a former National Football Foundation (NFF) vice chairman, passed away Sept. 23 in Savannah, Ga. He was 91. Toner, who claimed the NFF Distinguished American Award in 1986, served in numerous prominent positions during his illustrious career, including head football coach at Connecticut, athletics director at Connecticut, NCAA president, NACDA president and assistant coach at Columbia.

“John Toner stood as a giant among athletic administrators, and the mere mention of his name meant integrity and respect,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “He brought immediate credibility to the efforts of the National Football Foundation, and he served on the NFF board with extreme passion and enormous impact. He put the scholar-athlete first, and his opinions and actions helped shape the NCAA and the college football landscape for decades. Today marks a very sad day for the NFF and all of college athletics. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

John Toner joined the NFF board of directors in 1988, and he took on the role of NFF vice chairman in 2000, serving in that capacity until 2008 and subsequently becoming an emeritus member until his passing. In recognition of his stature and the high esteem that his name carried, the NFF established the John L. Toner Award in 1997, annually honoring an outstanding athletics director who demonstrated superior administrative abilities, especially in the area of college football. The list of past recipients includes some of the most admired names in athletics administration, and their acceptance speeches universally paid tribute to the award’s namesake, citing the personal significance of receiving an award that carried the name of a revered mentor.

“John Toner was a good friend and supporter long before I arrived at the National Football Foundation,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “And that trust only grew as we served together on the NFF Board. His insights and guidance helped frame the direction of our organization during the past two decades, and he provided critical counsel on numerous occasions, especially as it related to NCAA matters. When John spoke people listened, and it is a fitting tribute that the ultimate award in college administration is given in his name each year. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. We share their loss, and we will work hard to carry on his legacy.”

Born, May 4, 1923, Toner enrolled at Boston University on a football scholarship, but before he had a chance to play, he left school to serve a three and a half year hitch with the U.S. Army (1942-46). He served in the European Theatre during World War II. In 1946, he returned to Boston University, playing four seasons for the Terriers. He was starting quarterback in 1947 and 1948, but in 1949, when the great Harry Agganis arrived at BU, Toner switched to defense, playing safety and linebacker. Agganis would go on to become an All-America quarterback and later earn induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

After his BU football career, Toner stayed on as a graduate student and assistant coach to Buff Donelli. For the 1954 season, Toner left BU, starting a three-year stint as the head football coach at New Britain (Conn.) High School. In 1955 and 1956 his New Britain teams went undefeated with only a 1956 tie to mar a perfect record.

In 1957 Donelli left Boston University to take the head coaching job at Columbia University, replacing Hall of Fame coach Lou Little. Donelli immediately recruited Toner as an assistant. At Columbia, Toner participated on the coaching staff that guided the Lions to the 1961 Ivy League Championship, which was captained by NFF Board Member Bill Campbell. He served as an assistant at Columbia from 1957-1965, and his impact at Columbia still resonates today.

“I was privileged to know John Toner as both a mentor and friend.  The world of collegiate athletics and Columbia Athletics has lost a wonderful advocate and giant in the business,” said Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education at Columbia in a statement on the school’s website.  “John had an amazing and prestigious career at the University of Connecticut.  He was a beloved part of the Columbia Athletics Family and we were always so happy to have him with us at Homecoming and The Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame.  We will miss him.  I will miss him.”

In 1966, Toner became the 21st head football coach at the University of Connecticut. He coached for five seasons, and into his third season he added director of athletics to his responsibilities. In his last three seasons as football coach, his Huskies tied for two Yankee Conference championships, and he finished his coaching career in 1970 by winning the Yankee Conference title outright.

When Toner relinquished his football coaching duties to become the fulltime director of athletics, his first task was to hire his football replacement. Toner hired Bob Casciola, who would later serve as the president of the National Football Foundation. Toner also hired Hall of Fame basketball coaches Geno Auriemma (women’s baskeball) and Jim Calhoun (men’s basketball). He was responsible for Connecticut becoming a founding member of The Big East Conference in 1979, and he oversaw the funding and construction of Gampel Pavilion.

During his tenure as the top administrator at Connecticut from 1969 until 1987, Toner became one of the most respected leaders in the field. He was in the forefront of activity when in 1972 the United States Congress enacted Title IX, a law that required every college receiving Federal funding to pass three tests of equal opportunity. In 1975 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title IX applied to college athletics.

Toner was among the first athletic director to speak up for women's sports. Said Toner: ''At the time Title IX was enacted, it should be remembered that most colleges had sports for women, but it was treated as a club activity and not under the jurisdiction of the athletic departments. By reason of the new law, all that had to change. When the Supreme Court's ruling of 1975 was handed down, colleges were given a three-year period to implement the new programs." At the time, Toner served on the NCAA Council.

"The final upshot," said Toner, "was that eventually all of the women's sports teams were placed under the auspices of the NCAA. In many cases the new Federal law resulted in a doubling of the typical athletic department staff and its budget."

After serving on the NCAA Council, Toner was elected secretary-treasurer of the NCAA (1981-83) and then served as NCAA president (1983-85). Toner also served as president of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 1980-81 and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

His many accolades include being named an Honorary University of Connecticut Alumnus; claiming a prestigious “Gold Key” from the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance; a “National Citation” from the National High School Coaches Association; being honored by Boston University with an Outstanding Alumnus Award; the James Corbett Award from NACDA; and the NFF Distinguished American Award in 1986. He also boasts the honor of being the only administrator in the Huskies of Honor wall at Gampel Pavilion.

According to his wishes, the family is not planning a funeral, and the family will announce in the future a date and time when they will hold a “Celebration of Life” in his memory.