Victor Albert "Vic" Bubas

Victor Albert “Vic” Bubas died peacefully on Monday, April 16th in Virginia at the age of 91 with his wife by his side. Vic is survived by his family whom he loved dearly and who loved him in return. He leaves behind his wife, Marcelyn Boldt Bubas; three daughters, Sandra Bubas Yarbrough, Vikki Bubas Baird, and Karen Bubas Myers (Jack); nine grandchildren, Victor Todd Yarbrough, Emily Yarbrough Weinstein (Todd), Margaret Yarbrough Hancock (Frank), Laura Allen Baird, Edward Ross Baird (Jen), Jay Michael Myers (Ashlyn), John Bradley Baird, Henry Everett Baird, and Mary Margaret Myers; and eight great grandchildren, Joseph Milton Weinstein, Margaret Katherine Weinstein, Graham Walker Weinstein, Evelyn Boldt Hancock, Anne Frances Weinstein, Frank Woodson Hancock IV, Mosby Stuart Hancock, and Jack Theodore Baird. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Katherine and Joseph Bubas; brother, Edward Bubas, and sister, Frances Bubas Ballard.

Vic was born on January 28, 1927 in Gary, Indiana. He served in the special forces in the European Theatre from 1946 to1947 before attending North Carolina State University and playing varsity basketball, earning All-Southern Conference selection twice. On June 19, 1949, Vic married his high school sweetheart, Marcelyn, whom he met at Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana. After graduating from North Carolina State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Rural Recreation, he stayed to assist noted coach Everett Case as freshman coach until 1955 and as a varsity assistant coach until 1959.

He then joined Duke University as head basketball coach in 1959 at the age of 32, leading Duke to an impressive performance of three NCAA tournaments, four ACC championship wins, and ACC Tournament championship games in eight of his ten seasons. Vic’s .761 winning percentage (a 213-67 record) ranks tenth all-time among NCAA coaches.

In addition to his coaching acumen, Vic is remembered for his strategic vision for identifying talented players and bringing future All-Americans to Duke, ultimately changing the recruitment process for all college programs. He would frequently say, “I don't believe the old statement, ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it.’ I've always looked for ways to make things better.” Through the years, he had a profound influence on his players, friends, and family as a mentor and a leader of character and integrity.

Vic retired from coaching in 1969, staying on at Duke University to join the administration. He served as Vice President under the Honorable Former Governor Terry Sanford with his accomplishments including chairing the committee to design, build, and secure the philanthropy for Duke’s Bryan Center. In 1976, he became the first Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, where he continued to innovate, introducing breakthrough ideas to the game such as the shot clock and regional sports television networks. He held that position for fourteen years until his retirement.

The Sun Belt Conference’s annual all sports championship trophy, the “Bubas Cup,” is named in honor of him. Vic also served on the NCAA Division 1 basketball selection committee for six consecutive years, chairing the committee in 1985. His many accolades for basketball include Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, Atlantic Coast Conference Legends honoree, Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men's Basketball, induction into the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame, induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1965, induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and induction as a Contributor into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 for his countless contributions to the sport of basketball.

Beyond his dedication to basketball, Vic was an accomplished writer and speaker, sharing his stories and insight from his tenure in higher education. He was also a committed service leader in his local communities of Tampa, Florida and the South Carolina lowcountry where he resided, collectively, for more than thirty years. He served as a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, a board member of the Hilton Head and Bluffton Hospital, a board member of the University of South Carolina Beaufort, the founder and first president of both the All Sports Club of Bluffton and the Forum Club at Sun City, and a member of the Lowcountry Presbyterian Church.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and will be missed by all for whom he coached, mentored, and cheered on from the side lines - whether in a game or in life.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24th at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, in Richmond, Virginia, with a reception to follow at Salisbury Country Club. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Vic’s extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hope for the Warriors, 8003 Forbes Place, Suite 201, Springfield VA 22151 or donate online www.hopeforthewarriors.org, or the higher education institution closest to your heart. Online condolences may be made at www.woodyfuneralhome.com.