Hard for me to wrap my mind around this...I have few Heroes...Bud was/is one of them...
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Yep, my Gramps had a virtual man crush on Bud.Hard for me to wrap my mind around this...I have few Heroes...Bud was/is one of them...
Like WWBD? (what would Bud do?)
I'm too old to do anything 47 straight times.
Take a look at that photo. Bud just looked like a winner and clearly was a great ambassador for collegiate sports during his entire career. For those of you that weren't around when Bud was doing his weekly sports show, it's hard for you to understand just how some of us old Sooner fans feel when we see today's egotistical coaches being a butt head. Bud was pure CLASS. Boomer Sooner, Coach Wilkinson.
I'm pretty much right there with Gramps...The Great White Father was a terrific coach, but a better role model...Yep, my Gramps had a virtual man crush on Bud.
Like WWBD? (what would Bud do?)
To this day both my brother-in-laws speak of their former head coach in complete reverence and respect. He never raised his voice in practice. He was a teacher and a mentor. They also feel strongly that one of the things Bud did better than Bob was have his team's ready to play.
Not only was he an Expert at 'Coachin' 'em up', but he prepared his players for Winning in the Game of Life. The tools that it took to win a Big Game. Traits such as Perseverance...Dedication...Commitment...Extra Effort...Giving More than you were asked to Give, transitioned into Life After Football and many of Bud's Boys were extremely successful in their chosen careers...All of the ones I know gave credit to Bud, and Company, and traced their good work ethics back to their playing days at OU...
When Bud ran for the Senate in 1964 and lost to Fred Harris, I'd like to believe, politics being the sludge pit it is, had an epiphany at some point later on that he was relieved he lost.
He took that HARD, fitty...He had no Experience at losing. My husband was his campaign manager for Western Oklahoma...I was one of the Team Leaders for Bud's Brigadiers...A Gal's Group of Supporters...
After the votes were counted, the election lost, and the signs taken down, the consensus was that
we were probably ALL over-confident. The Fred Harris Win was part of a major overhaul in the Demo Party, and most candidates did win...Bud's timing, for once, was bad...
The aforementioned Gramps was bitching his *** off about it.
I was a confused 14 year old, still reeling from the Kennedy assassination.
I do recall how disappointed Papa was about it though. He was bringing Mom plum down with the grousing.
Funny how those little time markers stay with you.
Didn't Fred Harris have a scandal in his term? I was 12 years old, but remember something.
One other thing......For my generation I remember Bud as the GREATEST college football TV analyst in history. He makes Lou Holtz, Corso, etc. look like a dunce. Anyone remember his partner's name? Slips my mind...........
I was a high school senior when Bud lost the senate election. I volunteered to his campaign doing stuff like passing out fliers and putting up signs just about everywhere in Midwest City and Spencer. Never was introduced to Coach Wilkinson but saw him at a few rallies and a friend finagled for the two of us to meet Tommy McDonald. I just about peed my pants. That same summer I attended Oklahoma Boys State and have been a lifelong conversative ever since. The only mistake I think Bud Wilkinson ever made was taking the head coach position in the NFL. I hated that he ended his coaching career in St. Louis.
I think Howard hosted the Sooner replay, like Dean Blevins does today. The old Kerr McGee sponsored show. I'm talking about his play by play announcer on ABC sports.....
Bud teamed up with Chris Schenkel for a lot of years, which was the best college football duo at that time, IMO. He may have had another partner later but Schenkel did more games with him.
I can't believe I didn't remember that. After Bud, Jackson and Frank Boyles had a pretty long stint and they were a great team also. I think Bud left the booth to take the St. Louis job, which opened the spot for Broyles.