Tim Tolokan, former University of Connecticut Associate Director of Athletics-Communications and Associate AD-Licensing and Traditions (retired) who was inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame this past June, passed away on November 3 after battling cancer. He was 79. Tolokan served UConn Athletics for 38 years, helping to modernize methods of communication as the university’s basketball teams rose to national prominence,
During his years the University of Connecticut (full-time from 1980-2009, part-time for nine years after), Tolokan was a maverick in athletic communications, a creative storyteller, and a mentor to hundreds of assistants and student-athletes – many who continue to work in college and professional athletics today.
He was an early industry leader in licensing and marketing, beginning UConn's marketing and licensing processes in the mid-1980's.
A 16-year member of the NCAA Men's Basketball Coordination Committee (1984 to 2001), Tolokan received the 2000 Katha Quinn Award from the USBWA.
Tolokan was selected to the 2024 CSC Hall of Fame class as part of the CSC Special Awards Committee veteran's sub-committee. Veterans Committee Hall of Fame inductees represent former sports information professionals of distinction from the past whose professional and personal deeds and accomplishments helped make possible the stature of the athletics communications profession today.
Services and Memorial Contributions
The Potter Funeral Home of Willimantic (Conn.) is in charge of arrangements.
Tolokan obituary
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Funeral Mass Information:
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 10:30 am ET
St. Joseph's Church, 99 Jackson Street Williamantic, CT
Assembly will be at church, and Burial will follow at Storrs Cemetery, 82 N Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health. Please make checks payable to "UConn Health" and write "In Memory of Tim Tolokan" on memo line. Mail to: UConn Health, Neag Cancer Center, Attention: Patty Smith/AM041, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06030-1834.
also see:
Tim Tolokan: CSC Hall of Fame Special Awards Salute (May 16, 2024)
In Memoriam: UConn Mourns the Loss of Former Sports Information Director Tim Tolokan
via UConnHuskies.com
Tim Tolokan, 79, of South Kingstown, R.I. and formerly Storrs, Conn., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3.
A native of Willimantic, Conn., Tim had a lengthy and successful career at the University of Connecticut, overseeing the sports information/athletic communications office.
He joined the UConn staff in 1980, became the Director of Athletic Media Relations in 1983 and Associate Director of Athletics/Communications in 1986. Tim was responsible for the publicity of all Husky teams and had day-to-day responsibilities with men's basketball, football, and field hockey during his time at UConn.
Tim led UConn into the modern age of athletic communications and media relations as both the men's and women's basketball teams began enjoying national prominence in the late 1980s.
He launched the UConn Licensing/Merchandising Program and Marketing Corporate Partners programs in the 1990s. Tim became the Associate Director of Athletics-Licensing and Traditions in 2001 before retiring from his full-time role in 2009. Post-retirement, he continued to serve UConn on a part-time basis as special assistant to the athletics director as curator of the J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum until 2018.
This past summer, Tim was inducted into the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Hall of Fame – the highest honor for a member of the athletic communications profession.
He was a member of the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Media Committee from 1984-2001. Tim received the Katha Quinn Award from United States Basketball Writers Association in 2000 for individuals who have rendered a special service to college basketball.
In 2000, Tim received the 2000 Outstanding Contribution Award from The UConn Club and he was named the winner of the 2023 Dean of Sports Award from the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. From 1999-2002, he was a member of the "Content Advisory Committee" for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Prior to joining UConn, Tim worked at the Norwich Bulletin for 12 years, where he served as sports editor from 1970 to 1980. He covered UConn teams for the Bulletin, in addition to the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 and World Series games around the country.
Tim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diane (Lemoine) of South Kingstown; sister Patricia of Windham, Conn.; brother Toby (Mary) of Indianapolis; nieces Lindsey Lemoine and Julia Lemoine; and nephews John Tolokan, Alek Tolokan, and John Lemoine.
The family would like to thank the staff of Jerome Home in New Britain, Conn., and Brookdale South Bay in South Kingstown and the doctors and staff at UConn John Dempsey Hospital for the care and support they provided Tim.
Potter Funeral Home of Willimantic (Conn.) is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health. Please make checks payable to "UConn Health" and write "In Memory of Tim Tolokan" on memo line. Mail to: UConn Health, Neag Cancer Center, Attention: Patty Smith/AM041, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06030-1834.