Please help Tunji Awojobi
Donation protected
Dear friends,
On behalf of Tunji, Patrick “coach” O’Neil, Brandt “bub” Capone and Craig “Payno” Payne are organizing this fundraiser.
Tunji Awojobi grew up in Lagos, Nigeria with his younger sister, and his mom and dad, while participating in soccer, boxing and basketball. UponTunji's arrival in the United States in the fall of 1992. Tunji quickly became accustomed to our culture and American way of life thanks to the support of his host family, the Raymonds, as well as his schoolmates, teammates, teachers and staff at Trinity High School in Manchester, N.H.
Tunji took the state high school basketball circuit by storm his senior season leading Trinity to a 15-win season and a berth in the State Class L Tournament in Durham against state eventual state champion and mighty Manchester West coached by Trinity sports legend, the late Dan Duval. Tunji was named the U.S.A. Today N.H. Boys' Basketball Player of the Year, First Team All-State and MVP of the annual N.H-VT. Alhambra Hoop Classic. Packed houses against Manchester Central, West & Memorial were the talk of the town as it was for gyms throughout the state any time the Pioneers played to watch Tunji and his outstanding basketball skills, teamwork, competitiveness and high flying dunk shows. Many basketball followers consider Tunji one of the more exciting schoolboy hoopsters in our state's history. Tunji was also an outstanding student at Trinity, graduating in 1993, making the honor roll and Principal's List while also being inducted to the Manchester Catholic High Schools Hall of Fame.
While his hoop accomplishments were impressive, Tunji was also the state indoor and outdoor high jump champion as well as being named First-Team All-State in Track & Field thanks to his blazing speed in the 100 and 200 meters, second in the state meet by a tenth of second.
Tunji was recruited for his hoop skills by several Division I schools, including the Big East, but opted to take his talents to Boston University where he knew he would play right away plus he liked the big city feeling of Boston that reminded him of being back home in Lagos. Just as he did at Trinity, Tunji took BU to new heights while leading the Terriers to March Madness with a record 25 win season and a berth in the NCAA Tournament against Tulsa his senior year. He was a four-time America East Conference First Team Selection, America East Tournament MVP and the New England Division I College Basketball Player of the Year in 1997. Along the way, Tunji set 13 school records and became BU's all-time leader in points scored (2,308), rebounds (1,237) and blocked shots (302). At the time, the 6'7 power forward was one of only five players in Division I history to ever score more than 2,000 points, haul down more than 1,000 rebounds and register 300 blocks, joining four centers and future NBA stars, Alonzo Mourning of Georgetown, Derrick Coleman of Syracuse, Pervis Ellison of Louisville and David Robison of Navy. Tunji was also one of the top students during his time at BU as multiple Dean's List honoree while receiving the Academic Excellence Award for the International Relations College.
Following NBA tryouts with the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets and the Miami Heat, Tunji made a name and 15-year career for himself professionally in the Euro League while seeing the world with stops in countries like Slovenia, Italy, Turkey, France, Croatia, Belgium, Serbia, Russia and Israel. He also represented his native Nigeria as a member of the national team at the FIBA World Championships in 1998 and 2006.
Tunji has resided in Atlanta, Ga. for several years with his family while working in the field of business. He recently returned to Nigeria to take care of his ailing mom, who passed away last year. While at BU, Tunji was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat. In recent years, Tunji has been confronted with extremely concerning health conditions, including dialysis treatments while being placed on the kidney donation registry in need of a new kidney and open heart surgery earlier this month in February of 2021. Due to his medical challenges and the current COVID-19 pandemic, Tunji has not been able to work for the past year.
Thus, our dear friend and teammate, Tunji, is in need of emotional and financial support. That's why this go fund me account has been established to help Tunji defray medical costs and provide for his family during these extremely trying times in his life. Tunji gave so many Granite Staters fond memories during his playing days at Trinity High School in Manchester, N.H. We could always count on Tunji back in 1993 to give his best and put on a show while performing on the court. It's our turn now to show Tunji he can count on us and help give Tunji the gift of life and love so he can continue to have lasting memories with his loved ones.. Please donate whatever you can to the cause.
On behalf of Tunji, Patrick “coach” O’Neil, Brandt “bub” Capone and Craig “Payno” Payne are organizing this fundraiser.
Tunji Awojobi grew up in Lagos, Nigeria with his younger sister, and his mom and dad, while participating in soccer, boxing and basketball. UponTunji's arrival in the United States in the fall of 1992. Tunji quickly became accustomed to our culture and American way of life thanks to the support of his host family, the Raymonds, as well as his schoolmates, teammates, teachers and staff at Trinity High School in Manchester, N.H.
Tunji took the state high school basketball circuit by storm his senior season leading Trinity to a 15-win season and a berth in the State Class L Tournament in Durham against state eventual state champion and mighty Manchester West coached by Trinity sports legend, the late Dan Duval. Tunji was named the U.S.A. Today N.H. Boys' Basketball Player of the Year, First Team All-State and MVP of the annual N.H-VT. Alhambra Hoop Classic. Packed houses against Manchester Central, West & Memorial were the talk of the town as it was for gyms throughout the state any time the Pioneers played to watch Tunji and his outstanding basketball skills, teamwork, competitiveness and high flying dunk shows. Many basketball followers consider Tunji one of the more exciting schoolboy hoopsters in our state's history. Tunji was also an outstanding student at Trinity, graduating in 1993, making the honor roll and Principal's List while also being inducted to the Manchester Catholic High Schools Hall of Fame.
While his hoop accomplishments were impressive, Tunji was also the state indoor and outdoor high jump champion as well as being named First-Team All-State in Track & Field thanks to his blazing speed in the 100 and 200 meters, second in the state meet by a tenth of second.
Tunji was recruited for his hoop skills by several Division I schools, including the Big East, but opted to take his talents to Boston University where he knew he would play right away plus he liked the big city feeling of Boston that reminded him of being back home in Lagos. Just as he did at Trinity, Tunji took BU to new heights while leading the Terriers to March Madness with a record 25 win season and a berth in the NCAA Tournament against Tulsa his senior year. He was a four-time America East Conference First Team Selection, America East Tournament MVP and the New England Division I College Basketball Player of the Year in 1997. Along the way, Tunji set 13 school records and became BU's all-time leader in points scored (2,308), rebounds (1,237) and blocked shots (302). At the time, the 6'7 power forward was one of only five players in Division I history to ever score more than 2,000 points, haul down more than 1,000 rebounds and register 300 blocks, joining four centers and future NBA stars, Alonzo Mourning of Georgetown, Derrick Coleman of Syracuse, Pervis Ellison of Louisville and David Robison of Navy. Tunji was also one of the top students during his time at BU as multiple Dean's List honoree while receiving the Academic Excellence Award for the International Relations College.
Following NBA tryouts with the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets and the Miami Heat, Tunji made a name and 15-year career for himself professionally in the Euro League while seeing the world with stops in countries like Slovenia, Italy, Turkey, France, Croatia, Belgium, Serbia, Russia and Israel. He also represented his native Nigeria as a member of the national team at the FIBA World Championships in 1998 and 2006.
Tunji has resided in Atlanta, Ga. for several years with his family while working in the field of business. He recently returned to Nigeria to take care of his ailing mom, who passed away last year. While at BU, Tunji was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat. In recent years, Tunji has been confronted with extremely concerning health conditions, including dialysis treatments while being placed on the kidney donation registry in need of a new kidney and open heart surgery earlier this month in February of 2021. Due to his medical challenges and the current COVID-19 pandemic, Tunji has not been able to work for the past year.
Thus, our dear friend and teammate, Tunji, is in need of emotional and financial support. That's why this go fund me account has been established to help Tunji defray medical costs and provide for his family during these extremely trying times in his life. Tunji gave so many Granite Staters fond memories during his playing days at Trinity High School in Manchester, N.H. We could always count on Tunji back in 1993 to give his best and put on a show while performing on the court. It's our turn now to show Tunji he can count on us and help give Tunji the gift of life and love so he can continue to have lasting memories with his loved ones.. Please donate whatever you can to the cause.
Fundraising team (4)
Bub Capone
Organizer
Bow, NH
Patrick O'Neil
Team member
Todd OConnell
Team member
Craig Payne
Team member
