Boell played college football and baseball for the NYU Violets. He compiled a 17–7 record as a pitcher for the NYU baseball team and was quarterback of the football team. He was considered a triple-threat man in football, but later recalled: "I could throw the ball, and I could kick it. The only trouble with me was I had no speed." He was recognized as one of the best college football players in the country in 1939 and played in the 1940 East-West Shrine Game and Chicago College All-Star Game.
