{
  "id": 2496429,
  "title": "Sam Budnyk honored in Cardinal Newman season-opening win | D'Angelo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/sam-budnyk-honored-in-cardinal-newman-season-opening-win-dangelo-2496429",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T04:18:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sam-budnyk-honored-cardinal-newman-041835669.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a commemorative coin flip at Cardinal Newman Stadium, Maurita Budnyk honored her late husband Sam, for whom the stadium was named, before the Crusaders' 37-6 victory over the Seahawks in the season-opening game. Cardinal Newman coach Jack Daniels stated that the team played the way Coach Budnyk would have wanted, but acknowledged the influence of penalties. The game marked the start of the Crusaders' defense of their Class 1A state title, the school's first. Budnyk, who coached at Cardinal Newman for 46 years, had a profound impact on many lives, including those of players and even those who were not athletes. The football team honored Budnyk throughout the season with a sticker on the backs of their helmets reading \"SB RIP COACH.\"",
  "summary": "Cardinal Newman honored legendary coach Sam Budnyk before kickoff, then opened its state title defense with a 37-6 win over Community School of Naples.",
  "key_points": [
    "Maurita Budnyk honored late husband Sam before game",
    "Crusaders defeated Seahawks 37-6 in season opener",
    "Coach Budnyk coached 46 years, impact profound"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The tribute to Sam Budnyk at the season-opening win cements his lasting legacy at Cardinal Newman, where his influence continues to shape the team and its players.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Sam Budnyk honored in Cardinal Newman season-opening win | D'Angelo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/sam-budnyk-honored-in-cardinal-newman-season-opening-win-dangelo",
        "published": "2026-08-22T04:18:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}