Loren Buser (1988) - Hall of Fame

Loren Buser

Induction:
1988
Class:
1966

Voted the Outstanding Lineman in the 1964 Pecan Bowl, Loren Edward "Booze" Buser attended State College of Iowa from 1962-66.

He played football from 1963-65, running number two at fullback but obviously making a name for himself on defense. He captained the 1965 team, the same season he was the recipient of the Oil Can Award, a team award given to the player who seems to make things move the smoothest. He also wrestled his freshman year. A North Central Conference first team selection as a linebacker his senior year, he captained the 1965 Iowa All-Star Game, which pitted University of Iowa and Iowa State University players against small college players.

He went on to be drafted by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, playing two seasons there. He started every game at linebacker until becoming injured midway through his second year, and also ran back kickoffs. He called the defensive signals both years, rare for a rookie, and was voted one of the most popular players on the team by the Alouette fans.

Buser earned 13 letters in football, track, baseball and basketball at Columbus Community High School in Columbus Junction, Iowa. His football team went undefeated during one 22-game streak and won the Southeast Iowa Hawkeye Conference during each of his four years.

Besides his athletic accomplishments, Buser was instrumental, along with then athletic director and football coach Stan Sheriff, in setting up the UNI Athletic Club and has been active in the organization ever since, including serving as president three times. He received an Alumni Service Award in 1974.