.png&type=webp){kind=icon}
University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Hockey Alumni Spotlight: Bob Joyce '50
March 02, 2015 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. - Former UMass defenseman Bob Joyce is one of the pioneers of the hockey program, donning the Maroon and White long before the comforts of the Mullins Center and practice rink existed. The Waltham, Mass., native grew up enjoying the sport before playing collegiately from 1946-1950. Before entering UMass, Joyce was a member of the Navy in World War II. Upon returning home, he joined a team that was comprised of all types of veterans that transferred to UMass. The team competed all around Massachusetts and played in games that were held in both indoor and outdoor venues, including rinks in Springfield as well as a few at the old Boston Garden.
In addition to hockey, Joyce was also a member of the golf team at UMass. The team's home course at the time was Amherst Golf Club, a nine-hole course that is still played by golfers in the Amherst community. Joyce jokes that he always did his best to rearrange his class schedule so he could have as much free time as possible in the afternoons in order to play golf, a sport he truly loved to play.
After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1950, Joyce decided to move out west to Southern California. Upon arriving in California, he landed a job working for a seafood company. Realizing that he enjoyed the industry, he worked hard from 1951-1962 learning the ins and outs of the business. Once mastered, he decided that he would open up his own company in 1963. His seafood importing company flourished and to this day is still a big part of his life.
Joyce now resides in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and is a member at the prestigious Riviera Golf Club that recently hosted the Northern Trust Open, full of the PGA Tours top golfers. Just down the street from Joyce's home, he mentioned that his street gets "a little more busy this time of year." He and his son Kevin still proudly own their seafood company and are enjoying the warm weather that Southern California has to offer.
Although 3,000 miles away, Joyce still follows the UMass hockey team and still has a great love for the sport and his Alma Mater. He believes in both the academic and athletic opportunities at UMass and is a part of the UMass Pond Club that help supports the hockey program. When asked what his UMass experience was like, Joyce stated, "The time I spent at UMass, was some of the happiest days of my life."