"We've had great ones like Tom Oates, George Sulima, John Bredice and Jim Kenney, but Gene is every bit as good right now," Terrier head football coach Steve Sinko said of Gene Prebola in the 1959 pre-season outlook.
Oates, Sulima, Bredice and Kenney along with Prebola are all in the Hall of Fame now.
An outstanding all-around performer at Memorial H.S., the West New York, N.J. native came to Boston University in the fall of 1956. The following, year, he caught three passes for 30 yards and one TD for the Terriers, who finished the season with a 5-3 record. Their only losses were to nationally-ranked Syracuse, West Virginia and crosstown rival Boston College.
In 1958, Prebola moved into a starting position, and responded by leading the team in receiving yard with 256, while he was second on the team in receptions with 15. The only player to catch more passes was Jim Kenney who had 16. Prebola was named All-New England first team and All-East honorable mention.
"He is the best end in the East," Sinko said of Prebola.
Proving his coach correct, Prebola had a fine season in 1959. He led the team in receptions with 10 and receiving yards with 189. He tied Paul Cancro for the team lead in scoring with 24 points.
That 1959 club finished with a 4-5 record, including wins over West Virginia and Boston College and losses to Kansas, Penn State and eventual national-champion Syracuse.
A highly-versatile performer, Prebola also lettered for the 1957-58 Terrier basketball team.
Prebola's football talents impressed the professional scouts, and the Oakland Raiders signed him for the 1960 season. He played one year with the Silver and Black and three more with the Denver Broncos.
In 1964, five years after he played his last Terrier game, Prebola was voted Third Team end on the Boston University Post-World War II All-Star team. The first team end was Hall of Famer Bob Capuano, while the second team was Oates.
