The Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will be holding its induction ceremonies this Saturday. Every night this week, bios of those elected to the hall will appear in The News-Item.
Father Patrick Devine
As football became the dominant sport in the Anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania, the running back position was always considered the glamour position. After all, Wally Diehl, Len Eshmont, Steve Filipowicz, Joe Pezelski, Joe Diminick, Jim Darrup and others were the players looked up to by youngsters waiting in line to play.
Pat Devine helped to change all that by playing the quarterback position at Mount Carmel Catholic High like no one had done before.
He not only handed off or threw once in a while, he ran the ball and made the Rams offense difficult to defend. Thrust into the starting job by coach Frank Ulicny as a sophomore, Pat helped the Catholic High team develop into one that had to be reckoned with.
As a senior in 1960, Devine threw for 10 touchdowns and add eight more on the ground in leading that team to a 7-3 record and Catholic High's first winning season since 1949. That Ram team scored 243 points, surpassed only by the 256 put up by Catholic's 1940 team. They finished as the runner-up in the Anthracite Catholic League to Shamokin Catholic, a team it lost to by a 6-0 score in a real slugfest. That 1960 team marked a turn in the road for Catholic High fortunes, laying the groundwork for the Rams' teams of the future. Devine put himself in the middle of any quarterback discussion including Joe Buchinski and Greg Doviak as the greatest of their time.
For his efforts as a senior, Devine was named to the first team of the Anthracite Catholic League all-star team for the second year running, and placed second in the league's MVP voting. On a larger scale, Devine was given honorable mention by the Associated Press all state team, as well as, the 1960 Big 33 team. By the way, the quarterback on those teams was Joe Namath.
Devine also starred on the basketball court and baseball diamond for the Rams for four years running. His efforts were responsible for his being named the Student Athlete of the Year at the annual banquet at the Elks lodge in 1961.
Following his graduation in 1961. Devine entered Resurrection College in Kitchner, Ontario, completing his Bachelor in Philosophy degree in 1965. He then entered Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. and graduated in 1959 with his M.A. in Theology. He was ordained into the priesthood on May 23, 1969 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Harrisburg. His assignments as an assistant Pastor from 1969-1980 included St. Francis of Assisi, Harrisburg, St. Joseph's in Mechanicsburg, St. Leo's in Rohrerstown and St. Francis Xavier in Gettysburg. He became Pastor of St. John Neumann in Lancaster from 1980, and stayed there until 1994, when he moved to St. Columba's in Bloomsburg until 2009. He currently serves as the Chaplain at Maria Hall in Danville.
Brian J. Bubnis
Brian Bubnis began his athletic career as a defensive tackle for legendary coach Mike Terry from 1959-61. He immediately was recognized as one of the strongest players to ever play for the Tornadoes at that time. Bubnis ended his career on the field as Coach Terry succumbed to a fatal heart attack after a come-from-behind win over Shamokin. He moved on to Fork Union Military Academy where he dominated opponents as a defensive tackle. He was a teammate and roommate of fellow classmate and hall of famer, Norb Bonjo. His play earned him a full scholarship as a defensive tackle to the University of Pittsburgh to play for head coaches John Michelosen and Dick Hart.
Bubnis graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.
Following graduation, Bubnis played offensive guard for the Pottstown Firebirds, a Philadelphia Eagles Farm Club at the time.
Bubnis has worked in the financial industry since 1973. He began with Hornblower Weeks; then Kidder Peabody in 1976; moved to Shearson American Express, and then to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Bubnis is currently a Senior Vice President with MSSB in Wyomissing. He has been recognized with a selection to the President's Council from 1996-2008 and the Century Club from 2009 to the present; thus demonstrating long-term and consistent achievement for his clients.
Bubnis is a passionate supporter and lover of the arts and his surrounding community, donating his time serving as Board President of the Community School of Music (CSMA) since 1991 as well as several other organizations including: The Goggle Works, Berks Arts Council, Reading Public Museum and Historical Society of Berks County.
A resident of Reading since 1970, he and his wife, Carol are the proud parents of three daughters: Stefanie, Natalie and Caroline all who reside in New York City.