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The full text of “A Tribute to Phil Scaffidi” by Al Bruno, Writer and Teacher, from the Vol 2 — Spring 2019 issue.
Page 36By Al Bruno N FL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly’s courageous fight against cancer saddens me and thousands of other western New Yorkers. As we continue to pray for Jim’s recovery, I can not help but to simi - larly remember a great local athlete, a four sport phenom, a champion, a dear friend, and a member of the greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, named Phil Scaffidi. Posthumously inducted in 2005, Scaf - fidi, like Kelly, showed us great courage and perseverance in battling cancer.
Scaffidi excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo. He earned All-Catholic honors in all four sports his junior and senior years. He was truly an extraordinary athlete , thus mak - ing him special and celebrated by local sports fans. In football, Phil was an All-Catholic quarterback, impressively running Coach Tom Reddington’s veer offense and often optioning and bursting off tackle into the secondary for long runs and touchdowns.
In basketball, although not a great scorer, he was a ball hawk on defense, running down and taking possession of every loose ball be - cause of his incredible closing speed. Aptly put, he was the consummate point guard, dribbling and penetrating past defenders, getting to the paint and distributing the ball to his open teammates for easy buckets. Scaffidi led the Marauders to Manhattan Club Championships in 1973 and 1974, under Coach Dick Bihr and was named tournament MVP in 1974. A Tribute to Phil Scaffidi
Page 37Phil’s prowess in baseball was nothing short of spectacular as a standout shortstop. His baseball skills including hitting, fielding, stealing bases and scoring runs. In track, Phil’s sprinter speed not only gained him recognition in the 100 yard dash locally, but he was also a member of the national, record-setting 4 x 4, 800 yard relay team at the Penn Relays in 1972, honoring Coach Bob Ivory.
“Scaffidi was probably one of the three best all-around athletes ever to come out of Western New York,” said Joe Wolf, St. Joe’s Athletic Director. After graduating from St. Joe’s in 1974, Phil was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a shortstop in the ninth round of the 1974 major league draft. He played two years of Class A pro ball before returning to play basketball at Niagara University where he was offered a scholarship by then coach Frank Layden, prior to the 1975-76 season.
Coach Layden immediately inserted Phil to his starting point guard position and he led the Purple Eagles to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament in 1976. Phil was diagnosed with adrenal cancer in 1979. He had surgery returning to Niagara/s line-up in 1980. He broke the Purple Eagles assist record before a packed crowd on hand to witness Phil’s courage and history be - ing recorded. He received a standing ovation and took the basketball up to his dad in the stands.
His cancer returned, unfortunately, and on March 23, 1980 Phil passed away. He was 23. Tragically taken to soon, Phil’s legacy is far reaching and still painfully affects me today when qualities like cour - age and perseverance are mentioned. I think of Phil and become emotional. Phil was humble, inspiring, kind and approachable. He is and will continue to be sorely missed. Importantly, Phil’s life is a resounding reminder of what great men do with their lives in extraordinary ways.
God blessed Phil on earth and God continues to bless Phil in heaven. Al Bruno is a teacher and writer in buffalo and a frequent contributor to American Football Monthly. He recently completed a three part series on Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi. In this article he pays tribute to a Buffalo high school legend Phil Scaffidi.
