Honest Abe

Didn't know Nederland produced a Gold Medal Olympic athlete and a Two time NBA champion until today: [Hidden Content]

Gold medal Olympic high jumper and two time NBA champ: Gold medalist Walter ‘Buddy’ Davis Submitted by Brenda Cannon Henley on August 20, 2012 - 2:10pm From Nederland, Texas, to the world’s stage   Tall and strong Walter “Buddy” Davis might look just like any other Texas cattle rancher, but he is so much more. He’s a gold-medal winning Olympian, one of only two Aggies to be named an All-American in two sports, was a basketball player on not one but two NBA championship teams, is a world record holder and — perhaps most important — he’s the father of seven daughters and two sons. Oh, and he overcame crippling polio when he was a 9-year-old elementary student in Nederland. Buddy had the distinction of standing on the center podium in the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland, after winning the high jump event, and he still has the gold medal to prove it. “I remember standing on that podium,” said Buddy recently in his Lufkin home, “and watching the American flag go up the pole. When the first notes of our national anthem sounded across the stadium, I got a chill like you wouldn’t believe.” Until the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the XV Olympiad was famous for featuring the most world records broken. A total of 69 nations participated in these games, up from 59 in the 1948 games. Thirteen nations made their first Olympic appearance in 1952, and there were about 100 participants in the American delegation including two that took home the gold and silver medals in the high jump. But how did a boy from Nederland, Texas, get to Finland and the world’s biggest athletic stage? Born to A.J. and Mary Therease Davis in Nederland, Buddy attended public school. His dad worked for Pure Oil Company for some 44 years. His mom was a registered nurse. When Buddy was 9 years old, he contracted the dreaded polio disease and his home was put under quarantine,  forcing his two sisters and one brother to live with an aunt for a number of months. Buddy’s mom was determined that her son would live as normal a life as possible, so she put to use all of her nursing talent. Mary read everything she could get her hands on about the disease and organized deep warm baths for her son’s legs and then spent hours massaging the muscles and helping them to retain their strength. After 18 months, Buddy had regained the use of his legs and was able to walk and run again. Buddy continued to grow and soon fell in love with his next-door neighbor in Nederland, Margaret Tynan. Buddy graduated from Nederland High School in 1948 and went on to Texas A&M University where he played basketball, becoming the highest scorer in the state. In his junior year, Buddy got the idea he might like to try baseball. His basketball coach was also the baseball coach and allowed him to pitch relief for three good innings. The young athlete was pretty proud of himself when he struck out eight men. “Look, Buddy, I’ve got four good pitchers and one basketball center. Get over to the gym and do your calisthenics,” the coach said, bringing to an end his baseball career. On the way to the gym, he happened to see the track and field practice on Kyle Field. He watched as one athlete cleared the bar with the old scissors technique. On a spur-of-the-moment decision, Buddy decided to give the high jump a try with his baseball mitt in his hand. He cleared the bar and went on to win the Texas Relays that year with a 6-feet, 9-inch jump. The coach decided to take him on to other track and field events. Buddy became an All-American in track and basketball, one of just two Aggies to ever win that designation in two sports. By the time Buddy was a senior in 1952, he was married to Margaret, had started a family, and had captured the NCAA and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) titles in the high jump and received an invitation to the Olympic trials. He had also broken the high jump world record and the 7-feet barrier in May 1952. “I went from obscurity to a world record with one jump,” said Buddy humbly. “Think about it. Nederland did not even have a track when I was there in high school, and here I am being invited to the Olympic trials.” Buddy describes the trials for the Olympics in Helsinki as a whirlwind. “It certainly was not then what it is now,” he laughed. “We did not have sponsors, coordinators and a core of press people.” He said he made the Olympic team on a Saturday in Los Angeles, and the next day he flew to New York to get his passport and uniform. The athletes stayed at Princeton University in New Jersey for the week. Margaret was home waiting on the birth of a child and did not get to accompany her husband to this important event. Her parents, however, did get to see him in Los Angeles where they were visiting relatives. Buddy remembered clearly that he had a quarter in his pocket when he left Los Angeles, and when he left New York for Finland, that had been reduced to a dime. “We didn’t need anything, really,” he said. “The committee saw that we had food and our clothing, but looking back now, can you imagine traveling without money in your pocket?” The games opened July 19, 1952, and the high jump was on the first day of competition, July 20. He said that the temperature was in the 60s, and he remembers it being a rainy kind of day. He and his teammate, Ken Wiesner, were both “straddlers,” referring to the technique that replaced “scissors.” There were 28 competitors in all, and Buddy took the gold with a record-setting leap of 6 feet, 8.32 inches. “No one met us coming off the podium with endorsement offers, contracts or even gifts that I remember, but it didn’t really matter. We had won medals for our country, and we were proud and happy,” he said. “Margaret learned of her husband’s success through the newspapers. “We didn’t have television then,” she said, “and I was so happy when I learned that Buddy had done well. I still have the air mail letters he wrote to me from Finland, and I treasure those.” The Davis’ second daughter was born July 23, 1952, just three days after his medal-winning jump. Buddy went on to play professional basketball for two teams and win two NBA championships. His two rings, one from the Philadelphia Warriors in 1956 and the other from the St. Louis Hawks in 1958, testify to these feats. One is kept with his gold medal in a protective case, and Margaret proudly wears the other as she has for these many years. “I only wish I had not been so young and inexperienced,” said Buddy, “so that I could have realized what winning the gold medal really meant and that I would have been mature enough to take in everything.” Buddy went on to have a storied professional career in law enforcement with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, a 30-year banking career where he achieved the office of bank president, a stint as a top ranking civilian with the U.S. Coast Guard in Puerto Rico, and lastly with FEMA. He, like his father, has always raised cattle. He and Margaret have nine children, seven girls and two boys, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Oh, you should see this place when they all come home,” laughed Margaret, speaking of their comfortable Lufkin home with big wrap-a-round porches and a fishing pond. “It is quite loud, but lots of fun.” Buddy said that they were a close-knit family and that he believes he gets that from his dad. “My dad was the most kind and gentle man I’ve ever known,” he said. “It is said of us, if a bee stings one of us, we all swell up.” “As all of us kids get older, we realize more and more what an amazing story our dad is,” said Shaun P. Davis, Buddy’s youngest son and executive director of South East Texas Regional Planning Commission and former district director for Congressman Charlie Wilson. “Growing up we knew our dad was famous, but he rarely talked about it and we took it all in stride. My dad was more interested in being a good provider and taking care of our cows out in Bessie Heights Marsh across from Port Neches Park. That’s what I’ll always remember most — my dad and I and my Granddaddy Arthur Davis working cows across the river. I’ll bet you that’s what he remembers most, too.”

[quote name="Stevenash" post="1259184" timestamp="1346635255"] [quote author=PaBees link=topic=102086.msg1259165#msg1259165 date=1346633963] You stop Weisbrod by taking away his right and staying on the ground.  He will spin and spin and spin again, but he will eventually end up to the right.  He's truly about 6'2 to 6'3 so a good defender ought to be able to stay on the ground to affect his shot.  Just my opinion.  He is the best post player in the area, though.  Best overall player, as well. [/quote] If you think it is fairly easy to stop him, how can you follow up by saying he is the best post player in the area and maybe best overall as well?  I have the feeling if you "take away his right" to solidly, he is smart enough to make you pay on the other side. [/quote] Any player can be stopped a few times, but in a 32 minute game, I think Weisbrod (6'4" BTW) wins more battles than he loses. I'm sure he will have games where he struggles, but that's when the Nederland guards get hot from 3 land. Their precise shooting makes him that much better.

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1258772" timestamp="1346597008"] [quote author=Honest Abe link=topic=102326.msg1258731#msg1258731 date=1346593659] [quote author=BLUEDOVE3 link=topic=102326.msg1258599#msg1258599 date=1346557984] Ozen is F-A-S-T- !!!! Good win. [/quote]What are you doing over here BD3? Come back to the basketball forum with me!  ;D ;D [/quote]Whew, thanks Abe, The Darkside was pulling me into its supernatural web influencing me with those pinpoint passing routes and long kickoff returns. The devil is alive. [/quote] ;D ;D Hey-What are frienemies for??  8)

[quote name="PN-G bamakid" post="1258944" timestamp="1346609342"] [quote author=Wonderboy link=topic=102438.msg1258706#msg1258706 date=1346589463] [quote author=biaplayer link=topic=102438.msg1258464#msg1258464 date=1346550790] we dont have a good record against the stangs, think we have lost the last 7 if im not mistaken. Wos has a very good defense. From what i saw last night i dont think the offense we have is gonna cut the mustard. no running game it is non existent! AJ throwing the ball over chipmans head over and over isnt gonna cut it. we will have to spread out the stangs defense and go vertical if they are capable of getting that done. we wont have any success running the ball if we dont, im sorry no running game regardless. It wont get any easier the week after that either. i hate to say it but if i was in the pickems i would go with the stangs. [/quote] Actually, PNG has lost the last 4 times. They lost in 1997-2000 but beat WOS in 1996, 35-7.  PNG has lost 11 out of the last 13 games and has a total history record of 6 and 14 against WOS. I'm gonna have to go with the 'Stangs in this one, a nail biter 13-7. [/quote] The information I have says PN-G and WO-S last met in 2003 and PN-G won a nail-biter, 14-13. [Hidden Content] [b]We do have a terrible record overall against the Mustangs, though.[/b] [/quote] Who doesn't have a bad record against the Mustangs in SETX? I know we've only beat them a handful of times.

[quote name="Yeoj" post="1258452" timestamp="1346550119"] [quote author=Honest Abe link=topic=102385.msg1257751#msg1257751 date=1346507429] [quote author=Big Ford link=topic=102385.msg1257734#msg1257734 date=1346505913] I didn't witness it but anybody that can throw for over 400 yards on a 5A defense, has my vote.  Ozens QB. [/quote] Amen! That's gotta be an Ozen record. Also have to consider J. Jones from Ozen too, bc he was responsible for almost half of those yards. Were these screen passes? Missed tackles? Just wondering if Jones created a lot of these yards by making WB's D miss? 415 yards on 17 completions tells me there were a lot of big plays. [/quote] Screens and short passes that their WRs took to the house. Mostly on 3rd and longs I might add. They ate us up with their speed and big plays. Caught us in a couple jail break blitzes also. [/quote]Since it sounds like a lot of individual effort, I would go with Jakobi Jones as offensive POTW. 5 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown, plus a 95 yd TD return against a 5A opponent gets my vote. 415 yards passing is still impressive!

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1258599" timestamp="1346557984"] Ozen is F-A-S-T- !!!! Good win. [/quote]What are you doing over here BD3? Come back to the basketball forum with me!  ;D ;D

[quote name="Wonderboy" post="1258726" timestamp="1346593271"] If PNG doesn't step up and block, this will happen to their QB too.  Mustang "D" :o [Hidden Content] [/quote] That's the team speed I was referring to.

Ned D too strong and offense plays more than 1 1/2 quarters: GCM 10 NED 31

WOS has too much team speed: Stangs 34 Indians 14

All 3 of Ned's football/basketball kids shined last night. Great job guys! Stay healthy this season. We need all of you to shine on the hardwood too!

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1254533" timestamp="1346329741"] [quote author=BADSANTA link=topic=102146.msg1254358#msg1254358 date=1346295208] Hard to predict D1 talent! You'd have to be one of the best in the state. Don't know if SETX has anyone that good yet. Some could easily develop by the end of this up coming season. [/quote] I agree. Still too early. [/quote]I agree it's still early, but one does not have to be one of the best in the state to play D1, IMO. Maybe to play at a Duke, UNC, Kentucky, sure. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of Ned's kids go to a mid-major or a small D1 school like SFA or Sam or McNeese. Although Brownwood University is not D1, Jayson Lubera was not offered a scholarship until late July from them. They are coming to Beaumont to play Lamar in a preseason game. Hope to see Lubera in action against the Cards.

[quote name="outanup" post="1257811" timestamp="1346511391"] Was Dayton mentioned in the question? [/quote] I believe it was 20-4A opponents only.

[quote name="marshman" post="1257469" timestamp="1346473588"] Mustangs passing game does need some work.  Thought LCM made some defensive adjustments at halftime and held WOS offense to no points in 2nd half.  Only points came from defense on a safety. [/quote] I've seen WOS score 35-40 points in games and only complete 1-2 passes. They've always relied on the run, and I've never seen them as a passing threat. However, a decent passing game is needed for a state playoff run.

[quote name="Big Ford" post="1257734" timestamp="1346505913"] I didn't witness it but anybody that can throw for over 400 yards on a 5A defense, has my vote.  Ozens QB. [/quote] Amen! That's gotta be an Ozen record. Also have to consider J. Jones from Ozen too, bc he was responsible for almost half of those yards. Were these screen passes? Missed tackles? Just wondering if Jones created a lot of these yards by making WB's D miss? 415 yards on 17 completions tells me there were a lot of big plays.

[b]Jordan Ozen 17-29  415 yards   3 TD's Jakobi Jones  5 catches 190 yards  1TD,  95 yd KO return TD[/b] WOW!! That's impressive!!

[quote name="BADSANTA" post="1257224" timestamp="1346468791"] No good! Horrible call For a fade route [/quote] I know we don't agree a lot BS, but we agree this time. That IS a horrible call for HS kids to execute. Especially in the first game of the year with the game on the line.  :-\ However, sounds like Silsbee has some heart after being down by 15. That will help them mature as a team as the season progresses. They should make some noise in 3A.

[quote name="Trocket" post="1256833" timestamp="1346463434"] Livingston of line is terrible going to be a long season.  21_ 7 cp [/quote]don't get too discouraged Trocket. College Park is an above average 5A school with large numbers. Livingston will be fine.

Nederland 20 Crosby 15

[quote name="BMTSoulja1" post="1254773" timestamp="1346349928"] Is there a SMRJ video? [/quote] ;D  ;D

[quote name="5 on 5" post="1253564" timestamp="1346198457"] ^^^ true but it will be a fun group to watch this year. Nederland freshman group has good guard play, good shooters and will have a new addition......and hopefully the 6'5 post will continue to develop  ;) [/quote] If he develops, this group will be as dangerous as the current one. I'm excited to see the new transfer in action. I hear he is a special player.

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1249934" timestamp="1345814212"] [quote author=Baller 93 link=topic=100884.msg1249808#msg1249808 date=1345779666] Nederland is gonna have a pretty solid freshman group this year. [/quote]Will any be able to make an "instant impact" for Nederland this year on varsity, thereby challenging the upperclassmen? [/quote] No. They're not ready for Varsity. If Ned was 'rebuilding', then maybe. But we return 9 lettermen, and 4-5 kids who were on JV last year who will also contribute.

[quote name="BEARCAT" post="1252710" timestamp="1346094435"] Thanks. Ozen may be young but with 5 players over 6' 4" they have some height for 20-4a! [/quote] Could be wrong Bearcat, but I think he's jackin' with us. I'm all but certain they do NOT have 5 players over 6'4". If so, I don't believe they will be on the floor playing much. Their guard play and quickness will make them dangerous. Regardless of their lack of Varsity experience, they will have plenty when district play comes around.

[quote name="BEARCAT" post="1252637" timestamp="1346089744"] Sometimes we spend too much time talking about the "next level".  There is something to be said for being a real good high school player and enjoying it while you can.  In fact for those few kids that are good enough to play at next level some find that HS was alot more fun. [/quote] Good call Bearcat. This is a HS basketball forum, and the original poster asked about the best HIGH SCHOOL post players in the area. Colton plays Post for Big Ned unless a taller kid comes along. I have no emotional attachments to Colton, other than he is a good kid who has a tremendous work ethic, and the fact that he plays for the Dawgs. I've watched him play a lot of basketball, and he's only started one year at the Varsity level. MOST kids don't get noticed until after their Junior year, so I think it is VERY premature to say what type of college player he will be. Whoever he signs with will be fortunate to have him.

Baytown Sterling/[b]Baytown Lee[/b] Beaumont Central/[b]Port Arthur Memorial[/b] Beaumont Ozen/[b]Beaumont West Brook[/b] Crosby/[b]Nederland[/b] Little Cypress-Mauriceville/[b]West Orange-Stark[/b] Port Neches-Groves/[b]Silsbee[/b] [b]Vidor[/b]/Santa Fe Fort Bend Elkins/[b]Dayton[/b] Nuevo Leon/[b]Barbers Hill[/b] Livingston/[b]Woodlands College Park[/b] Hardin-Jefferson/[b]Anahuac[/b] Orangefield/[b]East Chambers[/b] Bridge City/[b]Newton[/b] Hamshire-Fannett/[b]Splendora[/b] [b]Jasper[/b]/Liberty Shepherd/[b]Kountze[/b] [b]Hull-Daisetta[/b]/Hardin Warren/[b]Evadale[/b] Sabine Pass/[b]Deweyville[/b] [b]Beaumont Kelly[/b]/West Sabine Burkeville/[b]West Hardin[/b] Buna/[b]Center[/b] New Waverly/[b]Woodville[/b] San Augustine/[b]Tyler Grace[/b]