Bastin enjoyed winning feeling
This is the second in a series of articles profiling the 2021 inductees into the Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame
JEFFERSON TWP — “Once you've experienced winning, it's not hard to replicate that.”
Such are the words of 1980 Knoch graduate Gary Bastin, a key player on a Knoch championship football team that proved his statement true.
A starting defensive back for the Knights' 1978 team that finished 11-1 and throttled Beaver Falls, 40-14, in the WPIAL championship game, Bastin is one of seven 2021 inductees into the Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame.
The inductions will take place during the Knights' home football game Sept. 3 against Freeport.
“It's nice, being remembered for those days,” Bastin said. “I graduated back in 1980 and this is only the sixth year for this Hall of Fame. It means a lot to me to be going in.
“I have to thank all of my teammates and coaches. They had a lot to do with any success I had.”
He had plenty.
Bastin intercepted nine passes in his high school career, returning two for touchdowns during the playoffs. The 1978 team not only won the district crown, it secured the first WPIAL playoff wins in program history.“Defense had a lot to do with those teams,” Bastin said. “We didn't give up many points.”No opponent scored more than 14 points in a game against Knoch in 1978.The Knights made their way back to the WPIAL title game in 1979 — Bastin's senior season. He played fullback as well as defensive back that year and had a 100-yard rushing game while scoring a few touchdowns.No team scored more than seven points against that 1979 Knoch team until Seton LaSalle posted a 12-0 win over the Knights in the WPIAL title game.“That Seton LaSalle team had Tom Donahoe, Jim Sweeney, Greg Gattuso ... they were loaded. We should have beaten them anyway,” Bastin said.Bastin's two interception returns for scores came in the 1978 title game against Beaver Falls and a 10-0 playoff win over Freeport in 1979. That game marked the first time Knoch had ever beaten Freeport in football.The teams played to a 7-7 draw in the season opener.“Nobody thought we'd make it back to the championship game my senior year,” Bastin said. “But our defense really jelled and we developed a lot of confidence.“That pick against Freeport ... we were up 3-0 and they were driving, up around midfield, when I was able to pick one off and bring it back for the clinching score. I'll never forget that play.”A member of the track and field team as well, Bastin ran a leg of the Knights' 4x100 relay that set the school record.Bastin wound up receiving an appointment to West Point and played all four years with Army, earning three varsity letters. He intercepted Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Doug Flutie of Boston College in a game.“I enjoyed playing, but those Army teams were 3-8, 4-7 ... I missed winning,” Bastin said. “That's why I'm glad I stuck around for a year as a graduate assistant coach.”That year, the Cadets played Michigan State in the Cherry Bowl in the Pontiac Silverdome near Detroit and scored an upset victory.“That was one of the highest attended bowl games that year because all of the Michigan State people came,” Bastin said. “Army switched to the wishbone offense that season because it best fit our personnel. They've been running it ever since.”After serving five years in the Army, Bastin was a captain when he left the service. He spent a long career running a medical sales business before selling it.Bastin lives in Oakmont. Now he runs an Amazon distribution service.“Some of my high school friends and teammates aren't with us anymore,” Bastin said. “I lost a good friend just this past year.“This Hall of Fame makes me think back to those folks. It will be good getting back to Knoch and visiting with former teammates again. Those were good times.”
