Pat Buehler (’81)
Pat Buehler was an outstanding three sport athlete at Glen Rock High School, football, basketball and baseball. As quarterback, he led the 1980 football team to its first Sectional Championship since 1963.
In the 1970s, Glen Rock’s football team suffered quite a few disappointing seasons. However, at the end of that decade, quarterback Pat Buehler’s passing and running led Glen Rock football to great success.
Pat assumed the starting quarterback position midway through his junior season and led that 1979 team to the school’s first winning season since 1972.
In Pat’s senior year, he led the 1980 team to its first B-PSL Championship and then to a Group 1, State Sectional Championship. In the Sectional semifinal, Glen Rock defeated Becton by a score of 30-0 with Pat throwing for three touchdowns. The Panthers then defeated Park Ridge in the Sectional final by a score of 22-21.Trailing by two touchdowns at halftime, Glen Rock stormed back in the second half led by Pat commanding two successful long drives. The first ended with Pat throwing for a touchdown. The second ended with Pat running for a touchdown before a two-point conversion gave Glen Rock the victory.
Pat finished the season completing 99 of 145 passes for 1,531 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 4 touchdowns. The team finished with a 9-2 record, scoring a then-school record 325 points.
After the season, Pat was named to the First Team, All-County (by The Bergen Record), to the First Team, All-B-PSL and to the First Team, All-Suburban (by The Ridgewood News). He was also named to the Second Team, Group 1, All-State and was selected as “Athlete of the Week” on three occasions by The Bergen Record and other local newspapers.
In 1990, Pat received Honorable Mention standing on The Bergen Record’s All-Decade team.
An all-around athlete Pat also received Honorable Mention, All-B-PSL and received Honorable Mention, All-Suburban in both basketball and in baseball. He was also an excellent student and received the 1981 Bergen Community College High School Student-Athlete award.
In June 1981, the administration and coaches of Glen Rock High School recognized Pat as the top male athlete in that year’s graduating class and gave him the esteemed Athlete of the Year Award.
Pat’s football career continued at the University of Pennsylvania (joined by twin brother Warren) where he shone at wide receiver for two Ivy League championship teams. His college play led to playing time on the preseason rosters of both the New England Patriots of the NFL and the Montreal Concordes of the CFL.
Pat was born in Bayonne. N.J. and wound up living in its sister city, Hermosa Beach, CA.