Andy Bubnis

• Post by: mcalibrary
• January 12, 2024
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INDUCTEE

All athletes strive to have their names etched into their school’s record book, if only for a little time. To have a record stand for 48 years, with the possibility that it will never be broken, is truly incredible. Andy Bubnis owns the season interception record at Mansfield University with 11 thefts in 1969. The closest challengers to the mark have registered 7. The Mountaineers played football since 1891 until 2007 when it was reduced to a Collegiate Sprint level squad. Andy was a starting cornerback for Mansfield in 1969 under former Coal Township and Penn State Nittany Lion, Bernie Sabol. Andy also returned punts for the Mountaineers and was recognized as a 2nd team defensive safety by the Pennsylvania State Conference. The ’69 team recorded a 6 and 3 record, one of the best posted in that era. Andy completed his 4-year degree in three years at Mansfield. Andy was recently selected as one of forty-six players named to the Mansfield University All NAIA Era Football team (1940-1970) and has been nominated to the Mansfield University Alumni Hall of Fame.

Prior to enrolling in Mansfield, Bubnis played quarterback and cornerback on the Hawaiian Marine Football Championship team in 1964. They were a member of the Hawaiian Armed Forces Football League. Unfortunately in 1965, there was no marine football team, as most of them were sent to Viet Nam.

Andy’s playing career actually started under Coach Ralph “Bambi” Miriello in the Kulpmont midget leagues at Kulpmont. In High School he played under head coach Ed Stavinski where he was a three-year starter in football and baseball for the Wildcats.

He was the quarterback and defensive back and earned all-state honorable mention following the 61 season. Andy was also selected as the Outstanding Athlete at Kulpmont High School in 1962.

His coaching career began as the freshman football, freshman girls basketball, and freshman baseball coach at Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey from 1970-1975. His freshman team was a co-champion of the Burlington County Football Conference. After moving back to the area, Andy became an assistant and freshman football coach at Mount Carmel Area High School (1975-80) under legendary Jazz Diminick.

Andy then moved on to Columbia-Montour AVTS and, after a year as an assistant, became the head coach from 1981-1985. He finished his education career at Columbia-Montour as Director of Student Services in 2005 after 35 years in education.

Andy and his wife, Sandra, currently reside in Elysburg. They are parents of three boys Mathew, Michael, and Steven, as well as, four grandchildren.