Worcester State Mourns Passing of Former Athletic Director Bob Devlin
Robert “Bob” Devlin, 84, died on November 27, 2009 at St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie. Devlin was the second Athletic Director at Worcester State College while he also held the same position at St. Johns High School in Shrewsbury. He served a combined 37 years at the two institutions until his retirement in 1987.
Robert "Bob" Devlin, 84, died on November 27, 2009 at St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie. Devlin was the second Athletic Director at Worcester State College while he also held the same position at St. Johns High School in Shrewsbury. He served a combined 37 years at the two institutions until his retirement in 1987.
For 19 years, Devlin coached baseball, basketball and football at St. John's. During his tenure, he racked up more than 800 victories and six undefeated seasons, with three in football and basketball. Under Devlin's direction the basketball squad also won the state championship and many titles in the New England Catholic Tournament. He was also an inaguaral member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
During his 18 years at Worcester State College, Devlin was the head coach for the men's and women's basketball coach along with tennis and golf. The 1984 golf team won the New England Championship, finished second at the ECAC Championships and fourth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. In 1983 and 1984, Devlin was tabbed as the NCAA Golf Coach of the Year. Devlin also coached the tennis and men's basketball teams for five years at WPI.
Devlin received many prestigious awards which included the Paul N. Johnson Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to basketball in Central Massachusetts and he was also inducted into the Massachusetts Coaches Hall of Fame for football and basketball as well as the Worcester State College Hall of Fame in 1995.
Devlin was the first Little League Commissioner for the City of Worcester; he is past president of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and a former member of numerous ECAC postseason selection committees. Devlin also put his knowledge of sports to good use as he was the proprieter of Bob Devlin Sporting Goods, a company he ran for 31 years.
In 2001, St. John's renamed their Athletic Center the "Coaches Pavilion" to honor Devlin along with Charlie Bibaud and Joe Lane, three legends in Pioneer sports.
As an Athletic Director at Worcester State Devlin oversaw a period of unprecedented growth of the college's athletic department. Devlin oversaw the creation of six varsity sports (field hockey, softball, men's/women's indoor and outdoor track, men's/women's tennis) along with the establishment of the club and varsity football team.
Devlin's wife Donna was also a head coach of the 1980 AIAW Division III National Championship Women's basketball team. They were married for 37 years.
He is survived by his wife and sister Frances Salisbury of Franklin, MA. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. John's High School Scholarship Fund, 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA, 01545. A memorial service will be held in December. Arrangements are by Athy Funeral Home, Worcester and Aycock Funeral Home, Port St. Lucie.