Former Boylan star joins brother in record books at Rockford University

Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star
·2 min read
Former Boylan star Kevin Diemer, shown looking to make a pass during a game on Jan. 24, 2022, in Rockford, just recently scored his 1,000th point for Rockford University.
Former Boylan star Kevin Diemer, shown looking to make a pass during a game on Jan. 24, 2022, in Rockford, just recently scored his 1,000th point for Rockford University.

As the Rockford Regents push to gain that final conference tournament berth in men's basketball this season, former Boylan standout Kevin Diemer was able to work himself back from injury just in time to join his brother Tony on an elite list.

Diemer scored 19 points, including his 1,000th point as a Regent, during Rockford's 74-64 win over Benedictine last week.

He is now one of only 26 players in program history with more than 1,000 points and one of only 15 players with over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds — joining his brother Tony Diemer.

"Obviously I care more about us making the playoffs and getting a bunch of wins, but having my brother on this, it's pretty cool to be joining this list right now, too," said Kevin Diemer, who is averaging 14.8 points and 8.4 rebounds for Rockford. "We've faced a lot of adversity this season, so just to still be alive in this race, and still be making things happen, if feels good. ... But we want to finish the job."

Former Boylan standout Tony Diemer is shown driving to the basket during his career as a player for Rockford University.
Former Boylan standout Tony Diemer is shown driving to the basket during his career as a player for Rockford University.

The Regents need to win out and get a little help, but they still have a shot at making the six-team postseason conference tournament, which starts Feb. 22.

And that's after Diemer, the team's leader, missed five weeks and the first seven conference games of the season because of a broken hand.

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Diemer made it back and quickly joined his brother on the elite list. Tony Diemer, who has moved on from college athletics and works in insurance in the area, was on hand when his brother joined him in the club this week.

"I think it's so cool that Kevin is able to continue to play college basketball and accomplish similar things, and more, than I did," Tony Diemer said. "I'll always be proud of Kev, and love watching him play. It makes me so happy to see he's still going for it, and that he's not done yet."

Even if this year's Regents can't snatch that final postseason tourney berth, Kevin Diemer says he's not done.

He has one year of eligibility left due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He's working on his master's degree in physical education and intends to play one more season.

"I've got another one in me, for sure," Diemer said. "I'm coming back for another year, but that doesn't mean I don't want to finish this one in a really, really strong way."

Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years all together.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Former Boylan brothers make elite list at Rockford University