Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame

Columbia Sportswear was struggling to stay in business after the unexpected death of President Neal Boyle in 1970. 

The company was on the verge of bankruptcy when Boyle’s wife Gert vowed to “drive it in the ground myself” after receiving only one offer to purchase it for $1,400. Instead, Gert and her son Tim drove Columbia to amazing heights as a multi-billion dollar business. 

Now Tim Boyle will join Gert – who famously starred in the “One Tough Mother” commercials – as the first mother-son combination in the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. Tim was selected for induction with the Class of 2026. 

Former NSGA Board Chairman Ron Menconi worked closely with the Boyle family in outdoor apparel. Menconi nominated Gert Boyle to become the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003. 

“After Tim took over as President in 1988 the company really began to take off,” Menconi said. “Tim was the driving force on creating new and exciting products for skiers and sportsmen. 

“As a dealer selling Columbia products he was always accessible to ask questions and give support. Tim always was open to feedback on what they could do better and how to support the dealers that sold their products.” 

Boyle was still a student at the University of Oregon when his father passed away at 47. He left school to help his mother and they refocused the business on outdoor clothing and casual wear. In 1975, Columbia was the first company to introduce Gore-Tex parkas. 

The 1986 release of the Bugaboo, a popular jacket with a zip-out lining, propelled the company’s growth to go public in 1988. Sales grew from $18.8 million in 1987 to $353.5 million in 1997. 

“I first had the privilege of meeting Tim in 1988 when I took over as chair at Sports Chalet,” said Craig Levra, who was also the CEO of the retailer. “Since then, I’ve watched him guide Columbia from its roots in Portland, Oregon, to becoming a global powerhouse. 

“What has always stood out to me is his unwavering commitment to empowering his leadership team to make difficult decisions while still prioritizing his clients and teams. His people have always known that no matter the situation, he had their backs.” 

Lindsay Rice, whose 40-plus years in the industry included stops at Galyan’s and The North Face, said Boyle and Columbia have excelled at listening to customer needs, operational excellence, consistent brand management, product innovation and growing the industry. 

“Through Tim’s leadership Columbia has been able to build a successful stable of products and categories that’s unparalleled in the outdoor industry,” Rice said. “When I think of the brands I’ve done business with over my 40 years in the industry I believe Columbia stands alone in its ability to consistently grow its business and the outdoor categories it competes in.” 

In 2020, Forbes magazine ranked Boyle No. 378 on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in America. Boyle and his wife have also donated millions to charitable causes and in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he reduced his salary to $10,000 while maintaining the full salary and benefits of all Columbia retail employees. 

“I believe Tim has done a great service to the sporting goods industry,” Menconi said. 

Please note: This biography was produced from the nominating materials in the candidate’s nominating year, so the information may not be current.