Legendary coach Sam Budnyk commemorated in North Palm Beach funeral

NORTH PALM BEACH — Sam Budnyk's life was commemorated on July 25 as hundreds gathered at St. Clare Catholic Church to celebrate the Hall of Fame high school coach.

Family, friends and a community touched by his legendary career as a mentor and pioneer in the Palm Beach County sports world paid their respects to the man who died on July 17 at the age of 92.

Stephanie Ketterman, Budnyk's oldest granddaughter, gave a touching eulogy that featured stories of traveling from Philadelphia to Florida to visit "Grandpa" every summer, playing board games and dancing to Randy Newman and Steve Martin songs on the record player.

"I recognize that the vast majority of you here today knew him as Coach," Ketterman said. "Someone with an aura of great wisdom and fortitude, and a laundry list of well-deserved, hard-earned accomplishments, a master of one-liners, giver of tough love, a man with a seemingly hard, intimidating exterior, but truly a caring inside. Everyone in our family knew him in these ways, too."

More: Sam Budnyk, Palm Beach County coaching legend, dies

In shaping Cardinal Newman and Palm Beach County athletics for 46 years as a coach and athletic director, Budnyk hired the first African-American assistant football coach at a private school in Florida and scheduled a game against John F. Kennedy High School, becoming the first coach at an all-white high school to play a football game against an all-Black school.

In 1973, Budnyk was recognized by the National Organization for Women after allowing the first girl in Palm Beach County to compete in varsity track and field.

"I knew him for football, but as I read about him, there's so much more than football," Cardinal Newman football coach Jack Daniels said after the service. "The barriers he broke for women and black coaches, that means a lot. We wouldn't be where we are today without him in this county for sure."

Former players and assistant coaches attended Budnyk's Celebration of Life, with stories ranging from the meaningful and impactful to the downright hilarious.

Sam Budnyk knew how to deal with nervous players

Steve Maresco, who played quarterback for Budnyk in the county's first integrated game, detailed one such comedic moment before a big game against then-undefeated Miami Immaculata-LaSalle.

"It was before a playoff game," recalled Maresco. "We were all really nervous. Everybody had been sick. Sam walked out for the pregame (talk) with a Newman shirt and a jock strap."

When the players were done laughing, they went out and handed LaSalle its first loss.

For all the stories those in attendance shared on Saturday, a frequent one was Budnyk's memory.

"He had the most amazing recall, no matter what," said former assistant coach Daniel Hier. "He knew you, if you spent time with him."

While some may remember him for the illustrious win totals and championships across football, basketball, softball, track and field and golf, Budnyk touched many in their journeys to sports at the next level. Budnyk sent more than 150 players to NCAA Division I programs on scholarships, including four who reached the National Football League. One of those was John Carney, who was a kicker in the NFL for 23 years.

"For me personally, he was one of the people that changed my life because it was his encouragement, perseverance with the Notre Dame recruiters and Coach Gerry Faust at the time that opened the door to Notre Dame for me," Carney said. "That was a monumental shift for my life."

While Budnyk was known by many as a coach, his family knew him as a gentle teacher ― one who loved chocolate, Jeopardy, puzzles and hearing stories of his family's lives.

"Looking back, it is evident that Grandpa was a teacher at heart," Ketterman said. "I can say with the utmost confidence that every single person here learned something from him. And yes, this even includes the very youngest of us, my children, his great grandchildren."

Sam Budnyk leaves a great legacy

As much as any story from those present on Saturday, a Sam Budnyk quote broadcasted for all to see during the reception carried its own weight in the coach's legacy.

"You can't be a leader if no one will follow," it read. "Treat people the way you would want to be treated."

How ironic that both Cardinal Newman and Notre Dame ―Budnyk's alma mater ― should sport the same colors, the same way Budnyk himself stayed true to his own colors and personality throughout his 92 years of life.

"As I've reflected on my grandfather's life over the past couple weeks, I keep coming back to this thought: You do not have to have extraordinary means or power to make an extraordinary impact," Ketterman said. "I ask if you take anything away from being here today, please let it be this. Do not ever think that one person cannot make a difference. Just look around."

Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Legendary coach Sam Budnyk commemorated in North Palm Beach funeral

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