NAMPA, Idaho – Longtime supporter of Northwest Nazarene athletics Anthony "Tony" Bohner passed away Tuesday at the age of 77.

Bohner, who was elected into the NNU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002 for Meritorious Service, was a founding member of the Crusaders Athletics Association in 1971.

"It's hard to put into words the many ways that Tony impacted NNU Athletics," NNU athletic director Kelli Lindley said. "On one hand, Tony was overflowing with love and support for the student-athletes and coaches, while on the other hand he was strategic and innovative, giving his time and resources to help NNU become as successful as possible."

In 1971, a group of NNU alumni and former athletes decided to form the Crusader Athletic Association. They reached out to Bohner for legal advice in how to create the group to support athletics at the school.

It began a life-long love affair with helping out the athletics department. He was also the president of the CAA for more than 20 years.

"For decades, Tony Bohner has modeled what it means to be an NNU supporter," NNU President Joel Pearsall said. "He supported and prayed for NNU student-athletes and coaches, emphasized the importance of academics and gave generously of his time and resources."

A celebration of Tony's life will be held at Tree City Church of the Nazarene in Boise at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tony & Karen Bohner Athletic Scholarship Fund.

Bohner was instrumental in taking Northwest Nazarene athletics to the next level, including bringing the NAIA Division II Men's National Tournament to Nampa in the 1990s. He was elected to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Hall of Fame in 1987 for his outstanding volunteer contributions to the NNU Athletic Program.

"The booster club made the kids who came in from out of the area feel special and get some home cooking," said Rich Sanders, former men's basketball coach and athletic director. "We also had Crusader families that were mostly from the booster club. Families would adopt a player and provide them with food and more. A lot of the kids from those days are still in contact with those families or remember the time fondly."

Bohner was a Marine veteran and a Doctor of Jurisprudence, graduating from Northwest Nazarene in 1968 and from the College of Law, Willamette University in 1971.

He served as a law clerk for two years for Honorable Fred M. Taylor, U.S. District Judge for the District of Idaho. In 1974, he became a full time Professor of Business Law at Boise State. He combined teaching and the practice of law until 1981, then devoted his time to his law practice as a partner in the law firm Bohner, Chase & Walton.

In November 1999, he started Bohner Law Office, centering his practice around real estate, construction and business law.

"Tony was just such a great guy," said Gary Locke, who helped form the booster club with Bohner. "He's honorable. He'd help anyone that needed help at any time. He was the kind of guy that was very personable and would try to do all he could for the school. Just a special man."

When the booster club first formed there was some concern from the academic side of campus that it might become too powerful or push academics to the side. Former school president Richard Hagood said Bohner made sure that didn't happen.

"I think Tony has walked that fine line and has respect for the academic integrity of the institution and even would brag about it," Hagood said. "He was consistently supportive through all sorts of ups and downs and challenges, expanding sports beyond men's basketball."

Even in his later years, Bohner and his wife Karen would often have athletes over for dinner or host coaches and teams at a vacation property in McCall.

"He would say, 'Hey, you need to get out of town,'" Sanders said. "And he'd let me go use his place in McCall and just get away. He would do anything for you. He was a great guy."
Bohner's impact is still felt in NNU Athletics today, as the Nighthawks Athletics Association continues to support the school.

"Tony was a visionary and was able to see what NNU was going to become and the path to get us there," NNU men's basketball coach Paul Rush said. "He recognized the eternal value the school had in reaching the hearts and souls of students and student-athletes.

"His desire to see NNU athletics serve and love on the athletes here impacted generations of students who came through NNU in ways most of those athletes did not realize. And he did all of this behind the scenes – not looking for any recognition or attention, but steadily seeking to impact student-athletes at NNU for eternity."

Bohner is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen, three sons Daniel (LaChelle), Jay (Valentina) and Brian (Nichole); grandchildren Breanna, Analynn, Zachary, Charles, Andrew, Ezekiel, Mariam and Adalyn; great-grandson Axel; brothers Jack and Trevor Isaaman sister L. Vanessa Thatcher; as well as countless friends.

"I think all of us within NNU Athletics felt lucky to have someone who didn't even work at NNU care so much about our success," Lindley said, "and share in our desire to impact student-athletes in eternal ways.

"I have no doubt Tony's service and love of NNU left an impression on hundreds of student-athletes and coaches and his legacy will endure."