HILGARDS AL "BOOTS" BUDDE AWARD

“BOOTS” BUDDE AWARD

Named for long time Belleville Township High School Baseball Coach, and former Hilgard Manager Alfred J. “Boots” Budde.  The “Boots” Budde Award will be presented annually to the most outstanding Hilgard hurler.  

Boots was an outstanding pitcher and athlete in his own right.   He graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1937. He went on to play baseball at Millikin University where he held 8 different pitching records including a streak of 60 consecutive scoreless innings.  After starring at Millikin, Boots came back to Belleville and served the Belleville Township High School for the next 31 years as an educator, coach, and athletic director.

As the Maroons baseball coach, Boots won two state championships in 1949 and 1954.  As manager of the Hilgards he won three consecutive State Titles in 1947, 48 and 49 including a third place finish in the National Tournament in 1948.  He is the only manager in the storied history of the Hilgards to win three state titles.

Given Hall of Fame recognition by Millikin University, the Illinois High School Coaches Association, and the Mon-Clair Baseball League, Boots entered the Hilgards' Hall of Fame in 2002.
 

Thank you to Art Voellinger local sportswriter, author and former Hilgard ('58,'59) for writing this article.

AWARD WINNERS:

2012 - SAM LIDISKY

2013 - BRYCE RICHTER

2014 - PARKER BEINE