Leonard Alley - Long Time Fixture at VCU Games

I knew Leonard during my tenure at VCU. He was a fixture at our basketball games on the Coliseum floor. He was no nonsense, professional, yet very approachable and friendly. Leonard was one of the "good" guys and will be missed. Not sure if this was sudden or expected of his loss, but may he be at peace. Thanks for the support Leonard, you will be missed.
 
Nicknamed the "Stat Cat," for his love for numbers, Leonard was VCU's assistant sports information director under Earl McIntyre in the mid to late 1970s. McIntyre was VCU's first full-time SID and is a member of the Rams Hall of Fame. Earl and Leonard shared a warm mentoring relationship.

In those pre-computerized days, game play-by-play was kept, old-fashioned style, with a type writer. Keeping up with everything and typing it correctly took a quick thinker, with agile fingers. No one - I mean no one - was better at that than Leonard Alley.

As R-Braves' official scorer, he took plenty of abuse from bullying ballplayers who disagreed with his decisions. There was a direct phone line from the dugout to the press box, and when that phone rang up stairs, Leonard knew he was going to hear it. To his credit, he got past the juvenile name calling directed at him and held his ground.

In more recent years, Leonard was a fixture at Siegel Center press row (covering for Associated Press). You probably saw him without knowing who he was - Leonard was always the guy wearing the suspenders. His passing leaves a big seat to fill.
 
bighorn said:
As R-Braves' official scorer, he took plenty of abuse from bullying ballplayers who disagreed with his decisions. There was a direct phone line from the dugout to the press box, and when that phone rang up stairs, Leonard knew he was going to hear it. To his credit, he got past the juvenile name calling directed at him and held his ground.
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Wow, that brought back some good memories. At VCU I did an internship with the R-Braves, I didnt spend much time with Leonard, but I did spend an afternoon or two during day games with him learning how to score the game and he told a few stories about what bighorn had mentioned. They were quite comical. He totally blew our mind with the knowledge he had about baseball. He was a true character and everyone loved him in the press box. Rest in peace Leonard.
 
I spent many an hour with Leonard in the Diamond press box. His commentary was priceless, particularly when somebody booted a play. I learned how to score a game watching Leonard as well.
 
Sad to hear about Leonard. I knew him outside of athletics as we worked together at the "investment firm". Rest in peace my friend.
 
I know I know him somehow. Anyone got a pic of him? I know he will be missed. RIP my friend.
 
This image of Leonard Alley was on the UR Athletics page, if it helps.

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Is he the guy that was skinny but had a puffed out stomach? I don't know how to describe but his stomach sticked out like it had a device of some sorts? That man was so nice.
 
ndnballer09 said:
Is he the guy that was skinny but had a puffed out stomach? I don't know how to describe but his stomach sticked out like it had a device of some sorts? That man was so nice.
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yes.
 
My friendship with Leonard goes back to the '70s. He helped me with some of my early computer problems. We talked at length at CAA tournament and at most of the Richmond basketball games. Thanks, Leonard, for your friendship, your dedication, and your time given to me. You will be missed by many, but especially by me.
 
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