Eric Ervin '84

Eric Ervin came to Bishop McDevitt in 1980 from Saint Raymond's Parish Grade School where he was a star on their basketball team.  It did not take long for Eric to show his athletic prowess on Royal Avenue.  He began playing varsity basketball during his sophomore year and by the time he graduated in 1984, he was a 1st Team All-Catholic selection and McDevitt's all time leading boys scorer with 1282 points.  Eric was also the all time leading rebounder in McDevitt history. 

In 2012, Ted Silary published an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer titled "The Best High School hoops players of the last 35 years'.  Eric was listed with other McDevitt hoops legends such as John O'Connell '88, Aaron Ervin '89, Ryan Presson '97, and Wayne Bishop '00.

After graduating from Kutztown, Eric joined the Philadelphia Police Department where he is now a lieutenant.  As a police officer, Eric has been a shining example of what Community Policing is all about and the social responsibility that is a cornerstone of McDevitt's philosophy.  He donates his free time as a volunteer with the Police Athletic League where he served as PAL's Command Sergeant. 

In a city where the average 9th grade class will only see 1 out of 10 students graduate from college, the programs offered by PAL are essential.  Statistics show that juvenile crime decreases greatly in the vicinity of a PAL center.  Eric believes that PAL shows kids another side of policing and community service.  He says the goal of PAL is to help kids, and in that that way, improve neighborhoods. "This is what needs to be seen on TV, not us locking people up or chasing somebody".

Eric and his fellow officers work in PAL is evident in McDevitt basketball today.  A number of our current players participated in PAL during Eric's tenure with PAL. 

Eric is married to his wife Donna and they have three children, Alexandria, Samantha, and Scott.