Leon "Bud" Lewis (2000) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Leon "Bud" Lewis

Induction:
2000
Class:
1974

Leon "Bud" Lewis was a four-year letter winner and was selected an NCAA All-American in 1974. The native of Penfield, New York (Penfield High School), was drafted by the Cincinnati Comets of the ASL (1975) and played one season with the Comets before joining the Buffalo Blazers of the Canadian Soccer League.

In his time at BG during the 1974 season, Lewis served as the co-captain of the team, under Head Coach Mickey Cochrane, where the team finished the season with a 6-3-1 record. In the same season, Lewis scored 3 goals, with 2 assists on the season. Continuing with a great season, Lewis earned an All-American honorable mention for the 1974 season.

He also coached for over 25 years at Wilmington College recording 23 straight winning seasons. The Quakers are one of the top NCAA Division III soccer programs in the country. Lewis entered the 2000 season with 328 victories and became one of the few coaches in any division of collegiate soccer to reach the 300-win plateau. His teams have captured eight Ohio NAIA titles and have played in five NAIA regional finals, three NAIA National Tournaments and two NCAA National Tournaments. He was selected District Coach of the Year eight times, Mideast Coach of the Year six times and Ohio Coach of the Year twice.

Lewis retired from Wilmington after the 2017 season, and at the time was ranked among the top-10 coaches in NCAA Division III history in total wins.

Leon "Bud" Lewis was elected to the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.