A Positive Place for Kids

Staff Profile - Bruce Seals
Coach’s mantra: Pass it on

In 1971, Bruce Seals was named Louisiana’s Most Valuable High School basketball player edging out soon-to-be Celtics legend Robert Parrish. Bruce honed his skills at Xavier University in New Orleans, and then was drafted into the pros – first by the ABA Utah Stars, then the NBA Seattle Supersonics, and finally the Italian League. “The game was good to me,” says Bruce. “I saw the world.”
Along the way, Bruce married and had two children, and when his wife received a job promotion in 1990, the family moved to Boston. Bruce came to the Club as Assistant Athletic Director, but after only one year, assumed the position of Director, which he has held ever since. Given that close to 80% of our 4,000 members participate in some form of athletic activity, Bruce probably touches the lives of more Club members than anyone else. He serves not only as the program’s leader, but also as a consistent and respected presence in the lives of youth who are often lacking positive role models. “Being here every day for the kids is the most important thing I do. Teaching skills is secondary,” Bruce says. His decision to dedicate his post-playing years to kids was inspired by his high school basketball coach, and now Bruce finds himself replicating the role of his former mentor with many of his own former players returning to the Club as volunteer coaches and referees.