BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY – The entire St. Francis College Brooklyn community mourns the tragic loss of
Boris Posavec. Posavec was an integral part of the Terriers' men's water polo program since he stepped foot on campus in 2016. He was a member of the men's water polo team as a student-athlete from 2016-19, and most recently served as a Student Assistant Coach since the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester.
"Our hearts are truly broken as the entire St. Francis College community mourns the loss of one of our own,
Boris Posavec. Boris exemplified what it meant to be a true student-athlete as he was just as outstanding in the classroom as he was in the pool competing for our men's water polo program. Boris was a beloved Terrier and a profound leader across our campus, who will be missed dearly. Our deepest condolences go out to his entire family and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers," said Director of Athletics
Irma Garcia.
In the pool, he was a team captain and as a senior in 2019 he captured the men's water polo team Most Valuable Player award. He was a leader in and out of the pool and was looked up to by so many in and around the St. Francis community. He brought a tremendous work ethic, great passion for the game, and sincere dedication to the men's water polo program as he touched the lives of so many on Remsen Street.
"Boris' death is a profound loss to our Terrier family, and we're devastated to have learned of his passing. On behalf of everyone at St. Francis College, I want to express my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. May they find solace in his beloved memory; they remain in our prayers," said President Miguel Martinez-Saenz.
He was a standout student-athlete and during his senior season in 2019, he tallied 25 goals, 23 assists, 27 drawn exclusions, and three field blocks. As a junior in 2018, he totaled 16 goals, five assists, 22 drawn exclusions, and five steals. In his sophomore campaign in 2017, he rattled the cage 16 times for the Terriers.
"There are no words that can explain how everyone feels right now. We are devastated by this loss and our thoughts and prayers are with Boris' family and friends. The world has lost an incredible young soul," said former men's water polo Head Coach and current Manager of SFC International
Bora Dimitrov.
Over the course of his four-year career as a student-athlete in Brooklyn Heights, Posavec helped the Terriers win 54 games and led the team to four consecutive conference tournament berths. As a senior in 2019, he helped guide the Terriers to the No. 4 seed in the NWPC Tournament where they earned an 18-8 quarterfinals victory over MIT and advanced to the semifinals to face eventual NWPC Champion Harvard.
"The entire St. Francis College community is hurting. Boris was one of the most intelligent student-athletes that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He was a true leader in and out of the pool, a role model to many, and showed maturity beyond his years. This tragic loss to the water polo family and to the SFC community is magnified by the fact that Boris had the potential to continue making such a wonderful contribution to the lives of so many people. We will miss him beyond measure," said women's water polo Head Coach
Alana Burgess.
In the classroom, Posavec excelled as an accounting major. He was selected to the CWPA and ACWPC Men's Scholar Athlete Teams every year of his academic career and earned Outstanding recognition for achieving a GPA of 3.71-4.0. He worked as a Fund Accountant Intern at Pomona Capital and had a postgraduate job lined up a KPMG.
"Boris was one of the St. Francis community's finest student-athletes. He brought talent, intelligence, leadership, and humor to every training session and game. On the eve of his graduation, we grieve but cherish our memories of his wry smile and kind heart," said former Assistant Director of Athletics and Aquatics Director
Carl Quigley.
Posavec was a native of Zagreb, Croatia and graduated from Marina High School. He was selected as the best player at the 2011 Croatian Junior Cup by the Croatian Water Polo Committee and was classified as a Category V gifted athlete by the Croatian Olympic Committee.
Tragic news like this this can prompt a wave of emotions. Please know you are not alone. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to seek counseling with the SFC Health Promotion & Wellness Center. Zoom and phone appointments are available by emailing
sfccounseling@sfc.edu. If you or somebody you know is struggling at this or any other time, there are resources available to provide assistance:
We also invite our community to come together in a spirit of faith and mutual support, for a virtual prayer service and mass, being organized by the Office of Mission, Ministry and Interfaith Dialogue. More information about memorial services will be shared soon.
