Class of '55 standout Jack Devine passed away on June 15th

Jack Devine was one of only 59 athletes in Villanova program history who scored 1,000 or more points for the school between 1951 and 1955. That distinction was made even more special by the 1,181 rebounds he collected at school, placing him among just five Wildcats to ever score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.

That legacy will always be remembered on the Main Line, long after his death on Sunday June 15th, in Sea Isle, New Jersey.

"Jack Devine was an outstanding player and coach at a time when Villanova Basketball grew to become a nationally prominent program," current head coach Jay Wright said in a statement. "He was always very supportive of our team and staff. The Nova Nation has lost a great gentleman."

He ranked 39th all-time in scoring for the Wildcats, averaging 11.2 ppg for a total of 1,263 points. His rebounding total still ranks third in school history being surpassed only by Jim Washington, and then Howard Porter.

Following his playing days, Devine spent three years coaching at West Catholic High School before eventually returning to Villanova as an assistant coach. Under head coach Jack Kraft, he coached the freshman teams and assisted with the varsity squads, helping to mentor some of that later era's best, including Washington, Bill Melchionni and George Leftwich.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, 11 A.M., at St. Joseph Church, 43rd St. and Landis Ave. Sea Isle City, N.J. 08243. Relatives and friends are invited to Visitation at the Church Thursday, 9-10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to West Catholic High School, 4501 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19139, or Villanova University, 800 E. Lancaster Ave. Villanova, Pa. 19085