Eugene "Bud" Fisher (2001) - Hall of Fame

Eugene "Bud" Fisher

Induction:
2001
Class:
1951

Eugene "Bud" Fisher's speedy heroics on the football field made him one of Iowa State Teacher College's most highly respected players of his time.

A 5-10, 165-pound safety from Cedar Falls High School, he was no stranger to football. His father, Eugene L. Fisher, Sr., is an Iowa High School Hall of Famer for his accomplishments as a coach at Cedar Falls and West Branch High Schools. Lettering at ISTC in 1948, the younger Fisher contributed to the Tutor defense primarily as a safety, making key interceptions. His speed caught the eye of then Head Coach Clyde Starbeck, who eventually would allow him to carry the ball. And carry the ball he did. His intuitiveness and speed made him a scoring threat every time his hands touched the ball. He scored 24 points that year on long, evasive runs, the most impressive against Western Michigan, when he ran for a 72-yard touchdown, scoring the game-winning points in one of the biggest upsets of the 1948 season. He helped the Tutors capture a 19-0 shutout over North Dakota State with a 55-yard run. He also had key games against Augustana College, where he had 65- and 55-yard scores, leading the Panthers to a 34-0 win. On defense, he helped lead the Tutors to a 7-3 record with key interceptions against various teams, including one against North Dakota that set the Panthers up for a pivotal touchdown and a 24-14 victory.

In 1949, he also helped lead the Panthers to their second North Central Conference Championship in his two years at ISTC. His final season for the Panthers proved to be his best performance. As the only returning varsity tailback, he rushed for over 870 yards. His season high came against Augustana College, where he had three touchdowns, including an 86-yard run for a score. He averaged 9.0 yards that season. Not only a talented tailback, he also contributed on special teams. His effort made him the Small College rushing leader that season. He also contributed on defense, with a game-high two interceptions against North Dakota. He ended his senior year with a national-leading 873 yards, ending a brilliant career.

After graduation, he took the head football coaching job at Nevada (Iowa) High School in 1951. He coached at Nevada for three years before leaving to coach at Dudlow (Iowa) Junior High, where he coached four years. In 1958, he served as assistant coach to A.J. "Butch" Stofla at Davenport (Iowa) Central High School. And in 1967, he accepted the job as head coach at Davenport West High where he also served as the physical education department head, and later as Athletic Director. After his tenure at West High, in 1973 he accepted a job as the Saline (Mich.) Area Community School Program Director, and gained his Doctoral Degree the following year (1974) from the University of Michigan.