Former Nittany Lion standout Tom Donchez has passed away.

[Bob78]

Fyi from a friend of mine who was good friends with Tom:
Tom Donchez passed away last night (8/28/24), after having been ill for a for just a few months. He was in his early-mid 70s. Just a little info on him from what I found quickly, and off the top:

Donchez came to PS from Bethlehem Liberty (with All-American and All-Pro Mike Hartenstine) and played in the early 70s. He was primarily a fullback who played on the great early 70s teams, with John Cappelletti and Tom Shuman among other PSU greats on the '72, '73, '74 offenses.

Donchez was PSU's leading rusher in 1974, with nearly 900 yards on the ground, and 4 games over 100 yards rushing including 116 yards rushing in the Jan. 1, 1975 Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor. He also caught passes for 50 more yards in that game. He was a 4th round draft choice for Buffalo, and played in the NFL for a season or two (if I recall).

Tom and his family lived in the Bethlehem area after PSU and the NFL. He remained close to his former teammates and was active in the Lettermen's Club. He was one of the driving forces behind The Joe We Know, and stayed close with Sue after Joe's passing. His wife and 3 sons survive him.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Fyi from a friend of mine who was good friends with Tom:
Tom Donchez passed away last night (8/28/24), after having been ill for a for just a few months. He was in his early-mid 70s. Just a little info on him from what I found quickly, and off the top:

Donchez came to PS from Bethlehem Liberty (with All-American and All-Pro Mike Hartenstine) and played in the early 70s. He was primarily a fullback who played on the great early 70s teams, with John Cappelletti and Tom Shuman among other PSU greats on the '72, '73, '74 offenses.

Donchez was PSU's leading rusher in 1974, with nearly 900 yards on the ground, and 4 games over 100 yards rushing including 116 yards rushing in the Jan. 1, 1975 Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor. He also caught passes for 50 more yards in that game. He was a 4th round draft choice for Buffalo, and played in the NFL for a season or two (if I recall).

Tom and his family lived in the Bethlehem area after PSU and the NFL. He remained close to his former teammates and was active in the Lettermen's Club. He was one of the driving forces behind The Joe We Know, and stayed close with Sue after Joe's passing. His wife and 3 sons survive him.

I remember him well. I recall he had some injuries around his junior year, but he was a major factor in the successs of that Cotton Bowl championship team.

May celestial light shine upon him.

 

[BobPSU92]

R.I.P.

 

[MrTailgate]

Thanks for posting and condolences to his family and friends. May his life be a blessing.

 

[SleepyLion]

I met Tom. He was a recruiter for PraxAir, I think. Good guy. I enjoyed our talk.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

RIP… Godspeed

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Fyi from a friend of mine who was good friends with Tom:
Tom Donchez passed away last night (8/28/24), after having been ill for a for just a few months. He was in his early-mid 70s. Just a little info on him from what I found quickly, and off the top:

Donchez came to PS from Bethlehem Liberty (with All-American and All-Pro Mike Hartenstine) and played in the early 70s. He was primarily a fullback who played on the great early 70s teams, with John Cappelletti and Tom Shuman among other PSU greats on the '72, '73, '74 offenses.

Donchez was PSU's leading rusher in 1974, with nearly 900 yards on the ground, and 4 games over 100 yards rushing including 116 yards rushing in the Jan. 1, 1975 Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor. He also caught passes for 50 more yards in that game. He was a 4th round draft choice for Buffalo, and played in the NFL for a season or two (if I recall).

Tom and his family lived in the Bethlehem area after PSU and the NFL. He remained close to his former teammates and was active in the Lettermen's Club. He was one of the driving forces behind The Joe We Know, and stayed close with Sue after Joe's passing. His wife and 3 sons survive him.

Sad news. I last saw Tom at a presentation of The Joe We Knew. He did a great job.

My condolences to his wife, his sons, the rest of his family, and to the lettermen he played with at PSU.

 

[Bob78]

Sad news. I last saw Tom at a presentation of The Joe We Knew. He did a great job.

My condolences to his wife, his sons, the rest of his family, and to the lettermen he played with at PSU.

Yes indeed. I got to know him a little when I helped with getting TJWK to various AA Clubs around the country. The mutual friend I mentioned was the person who put that whole project together, an old fraternity brother and roommate of mine.

I found Tom very easy to get to know and talk with. I spent some time talking (mostly listening!) with him at another get-together at this same friend's house a few years ago. He had some great stories from games and practices.

He had a challenging upbringing, but had a strong, terrific mother who guided him well.

 

[psuro]

I guess Joe was looking for a fullback. RIP Tom.

 

[LionJim]

Donchez was the starting rb during my freshman year.

 

[ApexLion]

Fyi from a friend of mine who was good friends with Tom:
Tom Donchez passed away last night (8/28/24), after having been ill for a for just a few months. He was in his early-mid 70s. Just a little info on him from what I found quickly, and off the top:

Donchez came to PS from Bethlehem Liberty (with All-American and All-Pro Mike Hartenstine) and played in the early 70s. He was primarily a fullback who played on the great early 70s teams, with John Cappelletti and Tom Shuman among other PSU greats on the '72, '73, '74 offenses.

Donchez was PSU's leading rusher in 1974, with nearly 900 yards on the ground, and 4 games over 100 yards rushing including 116 yards rushing in the Jan. 1, 1975 Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor. He also caught passes for 50 more yards in that game. He was a 4th round draft choice for Buffalo, and played in the NFL for a season or two (if I recall).

Tom and his family lived in the Bethlehem area after PSU and the NFL. He remained close to his former teammates and was active in the Lettermen's Club. He was one of the driving forces behind The Joe We Know, and stayed close with Sue after Joe's passing. His wife and 3 sons survive him.

My first football number was 32 because of him.

 

[ApexLion]

My first football jersey number was 32 because of him.

 

[Corner Room Breakfast]

R.I.P. T. D. #32

 

[Thus Spake Mainer]

He lived on my floor in Holmes (North Halls) with Greg Murphy. I remember he was solid looking but not very tall.