Long-time Boston journalist Dan Rea and his wife, Jeanne, make gift to support UMass athletics

DORCHESTER — Veteran Boston journalist and radio host Dan Rea and his wife, Jeanne, made a “substantional gift” to the University of Massachusetts Boston to renovate and endow the weight room in the school’s Clark Athletic Center, UMass announced. Rea, who graduated from Boston State College a decade before it merged with UMass Boston, chose to honor the importance of both institutions and their athletic programs through the “Dan Rea ’70 Boston State College Varsity Training Facility,” according to a UMass press release.

Also, October 1, 2021, marks Rea’s 15th year of hosting his popular radio show “NightSide with Dan Rea,” which can be heard weeknights on 1030AM and online. He previously worked on WBZ TV from 1976 to 2007, covering a variety of stories and breaking international news.

Rea is a long-time supporter of UMass Boston athletics, and is a member of its Hall of Fame. A former student-athlete who played hockey and baseball with the Boston State College Warriors. The Rea’s gift will be used to give the varsity weight room a facelift. The improvements include acquiring and installing new equipment, flooring, large ceiling fans for better air circulation, and paint to freshen the walls, according to a UMass press release. The remaining funds will establish an endowment to maintain the weight room over time. This gift is the first endowment for the Division of Athletics and Recreation in UMass Boston history. The 3,300-square-foot space will open in August as student-athletes begin training for their 2021-2022 seasons.

To read the official UMass post on the event, click here.

My wife, Jeanne, and I made a donation to UMass Boston earlier this year for the restoration and maintenance in perpetuity of a new Varsity Training Facility for student-athletes at UMass Boston.

Some 200 UMass Athletes welcomed the Reas along with family members and former teammates and classmates from Boston State College to the celebration and ribbon cutting hosted by UMass officials including Chancellor Marcelo Suarez-Orozco.

All photos are by Bill Brett.