Temple University Athletics
Temple has a Horse in the Preakness in King Congie
5.20.11 | General
Thoroughbred named after longtime Owl supporter, Congie DeVito
BALTIMORE – It would happen every time John Chaney saw Congie DeVito at a Temple game – the coach would go over to the man confined to a motorized wheelchair and put his arms around and give him a kiss.
The friendship between the legendary Owls basketball coach and the Temple alum blossomed over the years, lasting until February when DeVito lost his lifelong battle with brittle-bone disease.
“This young man was so brave. All of those years he must've been in such pain,” Chaney said, holding back tears. “I'm so proud that I know him and that I knew him and that I was a part of his life.”
This week at Pimlico Race Course is a tribute to Chaney's friend as the horse DeVito named after himself, King Congie, runs in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday evening. DeVito, who worked as a sales rep for West Point Thoroughbreds, got to name him last year and since then King Congie has gone from a scrawny horse to a Triple Crown runner – defying expectations.
“That was kinda like Congie,” Chaney said with a laugh.
The members of West Point Thoroughbreds, the group that owns King Congie, poured out their emotions Thursday about DeVito, who passed away far too early at the age of 35 back in February.
“He was such an outspoken, wonderful, positive personality – probably the biggest personality that I've met in my whole life,” Mike Masiello said, struggling to contain his emotions. “He was such a great person, and he's got us all here, and this is the most amazing thing that's ever happened to us.”
To Chaney, too. The coach recalled Thursday becoming friends with DeVito out of the blue. “I don't even know how he got my number,” Chaney said. It all started with Chaney coming up with a turnover chart to keep track of something that had previously been ignored in college basketball stats.
DeVito kept his own numbers and studied players' behaviors – so it's no wonder why he and Chaney became fast friends.
“He was a brain,” Chaney said. “He was a statistical giant in terms of his knowledge, the way he spoke.”
And while Chaney admitted often wondering about DeVito's opinions about players when he saw something different, the coach listened. That's because the passion was there.
DeVito majored in political science and, along with politics, “His life's ambition was Temple basketball and football. Temple sports were his life,” said Tom Bellhouse of West Point Thoroughbreds.
Chaney, who visited DeVito at Deborah Heart and Lung Center days before his death Feb. 16, wasn't aware Thursday that a horse was named after his friend. “Are you kidding me?” he said with a laugh. But along with pain comes the happiness of knowing his legacy lives on with King Congie.
“What a great thing for them to do,” Chaney said, offering at least a metaphorical message to DeVito's family. “If you see them, tell them I'll be waiting near the finish line.”
Stephen Whyno is a staff writer for The Washington Times.
The friendship between the legendary Owls basketball coach and the Temple alum blossomed over the years, lasting until February when DeVito lost his lifelong battle with brittle-bone disease.
“This young man was so brave. All of those years he must've been in such pain,” Chaney said, holding back tears. “I'm so proud that I know him and that I knew him and that I was a part of his life.”
This week at Pimlico Race Course is a tribute to Chaney's friend as the horse DeVito named after himself, King Congie, runs in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday evening. DeVito, who worked as a sales rep for West Point Thoroughbreds, got to name him last year and since then King Congie has gone from a scrawny horse to a Triple Crown runner – defying expectations.
“That was kinda like Congie,” Chaney said with a laugh.
The members of West Point Thoroughbreds, the group that owns King Congie, poured out their emotions Thursday about DeVito, who passed away far too early at the age of 35 back in February.
“He was such an outspoken, wonderful, positive personality – probably the biggest personality that I've met in my whole life,” Mike Masiello said, struggling to contain his emotions. “He was such a great person, and he's got us all here, and this is the most amazing thing that's ever happened to us.”
To Chaney, too. The coach recalled Thursday becoming friends with DeVito out of the blue. “I don't even know how he got my number,” Chaney said. It all started with Chaney coming up with a turnover chart to keep track of something that had previously been ignored in college basketball stats.
DeVito kept his own numbers and studied players' behaviors – so it's no wonder why he and Chaney became fast friends.
“He was a brain,” Chaney said. “He was a statistical giant in terms of his knowledge, the way he spoke.”
And while Chaney admitted often wondering about DeVito's opinions about players when he saw something different, the coach listened. That's because the passion was there.
DeVito majored in political science and, along with politics, “His life's ambition was Temple basketball and football. Temple sports were his life,” said Tom Bellhouse of West Point Thoroughbreds.
Chaney, who visited DeVito at Deborah Heart and Lung Center days before his death Feb. 16, wasn't aware Thursday that a horse was named after his friend. “Are you kidding me?” he said with a laugh. But along with pain comes the happiness of knowing his legacy lives on with King Congie.
“What a great thing for them to do,” Chaney said, offering at least a metaphorical message to DeVito's family. “If you see them, tell them I'll be waiting near the finish line.”
Stephen Whyno is a staff writer for The Washington Times.
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