The roots of Bud Parsons’ interest in the sports and sports promotion grew when as a third grader, he became water and ball boy for the Lincoln, Nebraska’s high school football team. The interest was maintained throughout Bud’s school years. Several Players, during this time, became nationally known as some of the first professional football players. With his background, it was only natural that Bud grew up having a great desire to perform in the sports program at the University of Nebraska. For three years he played half back on Nebraska’s football team, one of the leading teams in the country, coached by Dana X. Bible. He also played guard for three years on the Universities’ Basketball team. His senior year he was chosen as an All-Conference player in both sports.

After having moved to Roseburg, Bud was asked to assist in radio broadcasting of football games. He was also one of the founders of the Indian Club of that city, an organization that promotes local interest in the schools’ sports program.

In Medford, Bud was one of the founders and was the first President of the Medford Linebackers, the organization that spear-headed the drive to gain financial support from valley sports fans and businessmen to build the 4000-seat grandstand at the Fred Spiegelberg stadium. The grandstand was built without any tax money. The Linebackers went on to make other major contributions, without the use of tax money, such as the Bill Bowerman outdoor track, adult basketball seats in the high school’s gymnasium and recently the new underground watering fertilization and drainage system for the Fred Spiegelberg field.