Brian Budd
Encyclopedia
Brian Budd was a Canadian
professional soccer player best known for winning the World Superstars
competition three years in a row from 1978 to 1980. He was also a soccer sportscaster
.
and raised in Delta, British Columbia
to an Atlantic Canadian couple, Brian was the second of four children and only son. His father Leighton was strict and the two did not have a very good relationship.
Budd was an all-around athlete in his youth. He was a competitive swimmer and was training to be a figure skater until he quit at age 14. He did not focus on soccer until he was 19 years old.
contests, produced by U.S. broadcasters ABC Sports, which Budd won each time. That prompted the creation of a rule barring anyone from competing in a Superstars competition after their third victory—unofficially called the "Budd rule." Budd believed that ABC wanted him removed from the show because he was not well known to the American TV audience. His total winnings from the Superstars contests were about $170,000.
Budd was an excellent all-rounder, doing well in each event that he competed. His best event however was the chin-up
s.
championship medal as a member of the UBC Thunderbirds
in 1974.
. He began his career with the Vancouver Whitecaps
in 1974 in the team's inaugural season and remained with the squad until 1978, when he was acquired by the Colorado Caribou in that team's only season. After languishing on the bench and playing in just two games, Budd requested a trade to the Toronto Metros-Croatia, and the deal was made in May 1978. He scored five goals in his first four games with Toronto. In 1979, Budd returned to the team, renamed the Toronto Blizzard
under new owners, but did not play regularly. With a year left on his contract, he was offered an outright release by the Blizzard in November so he could play a full season of indoor soccer. He chose to remain with the Blizzard. Budd began the 1980 season in Toronto but was released in June. He then signed with the Houston Hurricane
and played there for the remainder of the season, finishing his NASL career. Budd may have played for the reserve team of Ayr United at some point in the mid-1970s. Budd played indoor soccer
professionally with the Cleveland Force of the original Major Indoor Soccer League
. He led the Force in scoring in their maiden season, 1978–79, with 29 points (25 goals, 4 assists) and was named the team's MVP. The Force finished the year in last place in the six-team league with the weakest offence in the MISL. He did not return the following year because it would have overlapped with training camp for the outdoor season. In 1980, Budd signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Blast.
. He scored two goals in earning seven caps, including one against the Americans in a 1978 World Cup qualifying match played in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on December 22, 1976, in which Canada prevailed 3-0.
for CKEY (AM) in Toronto.
"Budgie", as he became known in the mid-2000s, was from 2002 until his death a soccer analyst on The Score's The Footy Show, along with James Sharman
and, from 2004, fellow former international Paul James.
, owners of Labatt Brewing Company
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional soccer player best known for winning the World Superstars
Superstars
Superstars is an all-around sports competition that pits elite athletes from different sports against one another in a series of athletic events resembling a decathlon....
competition three years in a row from 1978 to 1980. He was also a soccer sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
.
Early years
Born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and raised in Delta, British Columbia
Delta, British Columbia
Delta is a district municipality in British Columbia, and forms part of Metro Vancouver. Located south of Richmond, it is bordered by the Fraser River to the north, the United States to the south and the city of Surrey to the east...
to an Atlantic Canadian couple, Brian was the second of four children and only son. His father Leighton was strict and the two did not have a very good relationship.
Budd was an all-around athlete in his youth. He was a competitive swimmer and was training to be a figure skater until he quit at age 14. He did not focus on soccer until he was 19 years old.
Superstars
From 1977 to 1979, Budd won three straight Canadian Superstars competitions. His victories earned him a spot in the annual World SuperstarsSuperstars
Superstars is an all-around sports competition that pits elite athletes from different sports against one another in a series of athletic events resembling a decathlon....
contests, produced by U.S. broadcasters ABC Sports, which Budd won each time. That prompted the creation of a rule barring anyone from competing in a Superstars competition after their third victory—unofficially called the "Budd rule." Budd believed that ABC wanted him removed from the show because he was not well known to the American TV audience. His total winnings from the Superstars contests were about $170,000.
Budd was an excellent all-rounder, doing well in each event that he competed. His best event however was the chin-up
Chin-up
The chin-up is a strength training exercise. The verb chinning means to do them. People frequently do this exercise with the intention of strengthening muscles such as the latissimus dorsi and biceps, which extend the shoulder and flex the elbow, respectively.It is a form of pull-up in which the...
s.
Superstars Record
| Year | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canadian Final | 1st |
| 1978 | Canadian Final | 1st |
| 1978 | World Final | 1st |
| 1979 | Canadian Final | 1st |
| 1979 | World Final | 1st |
| 1980 | World Final | 1st |
College
Budd won a CIAUCIAU
The letters CIAU may mean any of the following:* CIAU-FM 103.1, a radio station in Radisson, Quebec* An acronym for "Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union", now known as Canadian Interuniversity Sport...
championship medal as a member of the UBC Thunderbirds
UBC Thunderbirds
The UBC Thunderbirds are the athletic teams that represent the University of British Columbia in the University Endowment Lands just outside the city limits of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are one of the most successful teams in the CIS, though a few of their teams are members of the U.S...
in 1974.
Professional
Budd played seven seasons in the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. He began his career with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
in 1974 in the team's inaugural season and remained with the squad until 1978, when he was acquired by the Colorado Caribou in that team's only season. After languishing on the bench and playing in just two games, Budd requested a trade to the Toronto Metros-Croatia, and the deal was made in May 1978. He scored five goals in his first four games with Toronto. In 1979, Budd returned to the team, renamed the Toronto Blizzard
Toronto Blizzard (NASL)
The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.-History:The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
under new owners, but did not play regularly. With a year left on his contract, he was offered an outright release by the Blizzard in November so he could play a full season of indoor soccer. He chose to remain with the Blizzard. Budd began the 1980 season in Toronto but was released in June. He then signed with the Houston Hurricane
Houston Hurricane
The Houston Hurricane was a soccer team based out of Houston that played in the NASL. They played from 1978 to 1980. Their home field was the Astrodome. Their colors were orange, white and red....
and played there for the remainder of the season, finishing his NASL career. Budd may have played for the reserve team of Ayr United at some point in the mid-1970s. Budd played indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
professionally with the Cleveland Force of the original Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. He led the Force in scoring in their maiden season, 1978–79, with 29 points (25 goals, 4 assists) and was named the team's MVP. The Force finished the year in last place in the six-team league with the weakest offence in the MISL. He did not return the following year because it would have overlapped with training camp for the outdoor season. In 1980, Budd signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Blast.
International
Budd was a member of the Canadian national soccer teamCanada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. He scored two goals in earning seven caps, including one against the Americans in a 1978 World Cup qualifying match played in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on December 22, 1976, in which Canada prevailed 3-0.
Commentator
Following his retirement, Budd became a color commentator on Toronto Blizzard broadcasts in 1982 and was the club's director of public affairs until the end of 1983. He also provided reports from Spain of the 1982 FIFA World Cup1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
for CKEY (AM) in Toronto.
"Budgie", as he became known in the mid-2000s, was from 2002 until his death a soccer analyst on The Score's The Footy Show, along with James Sharman
James Sharman
James Sharman is a producer and sportscaster on The Score Television Network in Canada, focusing mainly on soccer.Born in Sevenoaks, England, he started working for The Score in 1997 and has been with them ever since...
and, from 2004, fellow former international Paul James.
Other
As of 2006, Budd worked in sales management for InBevInBev
InBev is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The company existed independently for several years - since the merger between Interbrew and AmBev and until the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. InBev has operations in over 30 countries and sales in over 130 countries...
, owners of Labatt Brewing Company
Labatt Brewing Company
Labatt Brewing Company Ltd. is a Canadian beer company founded by John Kinder Labatt in 1847 in London, Ontario. In 1995, it was purchased by Belgian brewer Interbrew; it is now part of Anheuser-Busch InBev...
.