BOSTON – The Boston University Department of Athletics is saddened to learn of the recent passing of BU Hall of Famer Bob Cumings ('59).
 
Born on June 1, 1934, in Boston, Cumings served in the U.S. Marine Corps and would go on to captain the BU men's basketball team to the 1959 Elite Eight. Though the Questrom School of Business graduate later become a pioneer in the hospitality industry as the first-ever president of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GBCVB), he was always devoted to his alma mater, whether serving as director of alumni affairs, coordinating the men's basketball team's first alumni booster organization or more recently volunteering with the Athletics Hall of Fame committee.
 
"Bob was a Terrier through and through," said director of athletics Drew Marrochello. "He truly loved this university and he wanted students and staff to have the same great experience here that he did. He'll be remembered as one of our all-time greats and, on top of that, a wonderful man. I'm glad that he was able to proudly watch our men's basketball team capture a Patriot League title this March. Our thoughts are with his loved ones."
 
"With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Bob Cumings," said men's basketball head coach Joe Jones. "I was so appreciative of our relationship. He was always upbeat and positive and truly loved both BU and our basketball program. He was not only one of our all-time great players but was also one of our all-time great people we have had in our basketball family. Rest in peace, my friend, you will be surely missed."
 
As a 6-foot-6 forward, he led the Terriers in both scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg) his junior year. The following season, he averaged 13.2 ppg and 8.3 rpg to help BU finish the regular season 18-6 and earn its first-ever NCAA berth. Playing alongside fellow BU Hall of Famer and co-captain Jack Leaman ('59), Cumings scored 15 points apiece in wins against UConn (60-58) and Navy (62-55 OT) to reach the Elite Eight. Unfortunately, a West Virginia squad led by NBA legend Jerry West defeated the "Back Bay Kids," 86-82, despite a 22-point effort by Cumings, who was named to the All-Tournament team for his efforts.
 
Selected in the sixth round as the 48th overall selection of the 1959 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, Cumings turned down an offer from Red Auerbach to play professionally and instead focus on his family. After a short stint in the insurance business and working for the Boston Chamber of Commerce, he joined BU's Office of Alumni Affairs in 1967 and would leave in 1975 to become the head of GBCVB. With his assistance, visitor spending more than tripled from $227 million in 1975 to more than $771 million in 1984, as the number of tourists grew by 36 percent, from 6.9 million to approximately 9.4 million.
 
After retiring in 1990, Cumings and his wife, Carolyn, owned and operated the New England Brass and Tool Company. His voluntary service included being president of the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (IACVB), the president of the Freedom Trail Foundation and President of Sail Boston, 1992.

An online memorial service will be held on a later date. For more information about the service, please send an email message to bob@praziusa.com.