Catching up with Matador Great Ian Boylan

GoMatadors.com had a chance to catch up with former CSUN Men's Basketball standout and all-time steals leader Ian Boylan. The 2005 Big West Defensive Player of the Year, Boylan shared memories about his Matador career and provided insight on what he's been up to since leaving CSUN.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---The Matadors of the early 2000s could be best characterized by their defense. From 2001-2005, CSUN allowed opponents to score just 68.7 points per game. Among a team of all-time CSUN greats, Ian Boylan stood out as a key figure of that defensive attack.

A 6-foot-6 guard and forward from Norman, Okla., Boylan enjoyed a prolific basketball career, which included a high school state championship and a 10-year professional career in Europe. With the Matadors, Boylan left his mark in CSUN history with his tenacious defense and will to win. CSUN's all-time steals leader, Boylan also led the team in scoring three different seasons and in steals and assists for two seasons apiece.

11782 — Boylan is Matadors' all-time steals leader

Dubbed the "Boy Wonder" during his Matador career, Boylan was named the 2002 Big West Freshman of the Year and 2005 Defensive Player of the Year.

"Coach Bras [Bobby Braswell] preached on ball pressure," said Boylan. "Making offenses uncomfortable was an easy way to get steals and turn those into easy baskets."

Boylan does have secret to his steals record.

"Honestly, playing alongside players like Markus Carr, Joe Frazier and Davin White made getting steals easy," said Boylan. "They'd pressure guys into bad decisions and passes that I'd be waiting in the weeds to pick off those passes. They probably should have gotten credit for half of my steals but I'll keep them."

Boylan tallied 272 career steals and posted the most steals in a season with 82 in 2004-05. On offensive side, he was just as formidable. Boylan is currently in CSUN's all-time Top 10 in eight offensive categories including sitting in fourth place in scoring with 1,610 points.

When looking back at his time with CSUN, Boylan cites a four-day stretch in 2004 as some his most memorable moments he's had playing basketball.

"The 2004 Big West Tournament is a stretch that I'm most proud of because of the adversity we overcame," remembers Boylan.

The 2003-04 Matadors finished the regular season tied for fifth in the Big West. The team had just celebrated Senior Day with a lopsided 95-70 loss to Cal State Fullerton. To make matters worse, the Matadors were to meet the Titans again in four days at the Big West Tournament.

"Not only did [Fullerton] beat us by over 20 points, but they danced, talked and celebrated," said Boylan. "They let everyone know in the gym that they kicked our butts."

Boylan mentioned that head coach Bobby Braswell and his staff were upset with his team's performance and exhibited that frustration the following Monday at practice.

"We were void of a true vocal leader," added Boylan. "God must have gotten the player meeting started in the locker room because the result of a 30-minute player only meeting was a confident, determined and aggressive group of players ready to roll. We decided to all wear ugly high white socks and went from feeling timid to knowing we were about to win four games in four nights at the tournament. We would run through a wall to make it happen."

11781 — Boylan and the Matadors advanced to the 2004 Big West Tournament Finals

With a new sense of focus and determination, the Matadors would put together a Big West Tournament run for the books. Behind 31 points from Boylan, CSUN dispatched of Fullerton (80-70) in the opening round, gaining revenge for their Senior Night loss.

The Matadors then rallied to beat UC Santa Barbara 61-58 to reach the semifinals against nationally-ranked and top-seeded Utah State. The Matadors would pull off the upset over the Aggies, 63-62, behind a late 3-pointer from Joe Frazier to advance to the finals.

In the championship game, the team's fourth game in four days, the Matadors fell behind by as many as 19 points to Pacific only to roar back and tie the game with 35 seconds left. Boylan led the comeback charge with 22 points and six assists, however Pacific would hit two late free throws to prevail, 75-73.

Averaging over 23 points, Boylan was rewarded with Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Since then, no Big West player has won the MVP award when playing on the losing team.

"Winning the award was nice but I'd trade it in a heartbeat for that team to have won the tournament," said Boylan. "I won a state championship in high school and have won championships in Europe but those four days were the four funnest days of my sports life. That team was all in."

After wrapping up his Matador career in 2004-05, Boylan turned his attention to the pro level in Europe. In his 10-year career, Boylan spent seven seasons in Austria and won three championships, four cups and two Defensive Player of the Year awards.

"European basketball is based on more structure and team play than the U.S. in my opinion," said Boylan. "They don't have the athletes the United States has so they have to use their mind to make up ways to outsmart people. It was fun learning how to play pick and roll. I actually played point guard my last three years in Europe."

11783 — Boylan played 10 pro seasons in Europe

Boylan began his pro career in Portugal before heading to Austria to compete for the Allianz Swans Gmunden for two years where he helped his team win the Austrian Bundesliga A Championship (2007) and Austrian Cup (2008). Following a stint in Poland, Boylan returned to his former club in Austria for the next two seasons. In his return, Boylan helped guide the team to another Bundesliga title and two more Austrian Cups in 2010 and 2011.

Boylan traveled to Switzerland in 2011-12 before spending his last three seasons playing for Austrian teams Zepter Vienna (2012-13) and the Kapfenberg Bulls (2003-15). With the Bulls, Boylan won the Austrian Cup and SuperCup in 2014 as he took home Most Valuable Player honors.

"I love Europe," said Boylan. "There are many differences between the U.S. and Europe. One of the positives that I took away was to enjoy life and vacation with family and friends. Most Europeans work to live and don't live to work. Also they have six weeks off for vacation every year instead of two. Traveling and seeing the world has become a priority in my life."

Following a tremendous basketball career that spanned two continents and five countries, Boylan returned home two years ago to Norman where he started the company Grasshopper Lawn Care.

Although Boylan is no longer wreaking havoc on the hardwood, Boylan's accomplishments on the court are far from forgotten. Prior to CSUN, Boylan along with his brother Nate guided Norman High School to a state title in 1999. Boylan will have an opportunity to be honored by his alma mater as an inductee into the school's hall of fame.

"I received a great basketball education at my high school and it's cool to get inducted," said Boylan. "This is where team ball was really instilled in me and where I got influenced by high charactered teammates."

Coming full circle, Boylan looks back at his Matador days with tremendous pride and gratitude.

"Besides everyone making fun of my Oklahoma accent and wardrobe choices, it was easy coming from Oklahoma to L.A.," remembers Boylan. "I just want to thank everyone in the Matador family past and present. Thanks to everyone who I got to learn from and experience this time in my life with. Go Matadors and see you at future games! God Bless."

Zepter Vienna photo courtesy of Pictorial

For more information about Grasshopper Lawn Care, please visit hopperlawn.com

Catching up with Matador Great Ian Boylan

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