Joe Buchinski

• Post by: mcalibrary
• January 11, 2024
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INDUCTEE

Just mention #19 to a long time football fan and they will probably tell you about Johnny Unitas, the Baltimore Colts All Pro quarterback and NFL standout. Mention #19 to a veteran Mount Carmel Area fan and they will tell you about Joe Buchinski. For the last four decades, Joey was the standard by which all future MCA quarterbacks were measured. At a time before passing was looked at as a way to move the football, Buchinski established marks that stood for over 30 years. As a senior, Buchisnki led the Red Tornadoes to a record of 8 and 2 while throwing for 1963 yards and an incredible 27 touchdowns. His career record of 3,763 yards stood until broken by Mike Higgins in 1994, while the 1963 yards stood until 2002 and Dave Shinskie’s record breaking season. Buchinski’s average of 10.8 completions per game and 196.3 yards per game remain as standards of excellence. Joe’s 284 yard – 5 touchdown performance vs Shenandoah in 1965 still ranks as the best game in MCA history. Joey also three for 4 TD’s in a game on three occasions and over 200 yards 3 times. For his efforts, Joe was named first team all state by the Associated Press and to the third team by United Press International. He also became only the second player in MCA history to be named to the Big 33 team and played against Texas in the summer of 1966.

Buchinski then took his talents to the University of Miami where he was a member of the varsity football from 1966 thru 1969. He played most of his career behind George Mira – a future All American and NFL player. Joe did, however, get to play in the Liberty Bowl in 1966 and the Blue Bonnet Bowel in 1967.Joe graduated from the University of Miami in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

Joe then took a position at Miramar High School in Florida and worked his way up to being the head track coach and head football coach from 1979 -1987. He recorded a 56-38 record as the head football coach and won District Championships in 1981 and 1982 and a Regional Championship in 1979. He was named Coach of the Year after each of those seasons. During his stint as head coach, Joe was a guest speaker at the University of Alabama Coaching Clinic as well as the University of Kansas Coaching Clinic.

From 1989 -2001, Joe served as the Offensive Co-ordinator-Quarterbacks Coach at St Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale. While at ST Thomas, his teams went 140-30 and won three Florida State Titles and were Runners Up on 5 occasions. Joe works as a Physical Education Instructor and Behavior Management Specialist at Miramar Highs School. He lives in Cooper City, Florida with his wife, Patricia, and step-children Anne and Zachery . Joey also has a son Michael, 30, and Chris, deceased. Today, Joe joins teammates Bob Pizzoli, Steve Zarlinski, Jeff Greco, Bob Hamernick, Frank Niglio, Joe Greco, Ron Lewis, and Tom Beierschmitt as members of the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.