PENTWATER – Small town legends seem to lurk around every corner in Oceana County. Bud Tice’s story however, may just top them all.
Tice, now in his 70s, has spent the majority of his time scaling the mountain of life, reaching new heights with every challenge he encounters. That all started in Hart where Tice grew up after his family relocated from Detroit when he was just a toddler.
After advancing through high school as a Pirate, Tice found it difficult to get his secondary education while staying in Michigan. That prompted him to apply to Indiana State University, something he acknowledged as the launch of a successful career.
“(Getting into Indiana State) was really a life changing event,” Tice said. “My thinking at that time was that I wanted to be a football coach because I didn’t have the abilities to play college football. The people and connections I made ended up being huge.”
With no ability to make it home for Thanksgiving while at Indiana State, Tice decided to try and get a job at the on-campus sports complex. He tried hunting down the equipment manager, but instead he found the head athletic trainer Mel Blickenstaff and was immediately offered a job in that department.
In his third year under Blickenstaff, a minor degree in athletic training was added to the university’s curriculum. Tice became the first graduate of that program in 1968, and was highest in his class – something he still holds over the head of the only other student that graduated with the same degree that year.
“That started my athletic training career – or at least the idea that it would be my career,” Tice said.
Life quickly threw a wrench into Tice’s plans. After graduating, he accepted a dual position at Wilmington College in Ohio where he’d serve as a coach as well as an athletic trainer. Tice remembered the excitement around the position, as Wilmington served as the home of training camp for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL).
Two weeks into his stint at Wilmington, Tice was drafted into the Vietnam War in October of 1968.
“I had to leave that job before the season started,” Tice said. “I came back (from the war) with all 10 of my fingers and all 10 of my toes. I was unscathed physically and mentally for the most part.”
Vietnam provided Tice with some of his most formative years. He credits most of what he accomplished later in life, to his time in the army.
“If anything else, my time in Vietnam gave me the confidence to go back to the real world and know that I’d survive,” Tice said. “I spent two years in the army and when I came out, I wanted to get my Master’s (degree). I wanted to use my V.A. benefits, so I went to Eastern Michigan University.”
After two years as an Eagle, Tice obtained his degree and headed back to college, this time for a career rather than an education. Northwest Missouri State University offered him its athletic trainer position in 1971. For four years Tice served in that capacity, but despite loving his job he yearned for something more fulfilling.
In 1975, Tice flew out to the University of West Virginia where he interviewed with legendary college football coach Bobby Bowden. Tice was offered a job with the Mountaineers, serving under Bowden for his first year before the coach took the head coaching gig at Florida State University. Tice stayed in West Virginia for two more years, but made a leap to the professionals when he heard the Buffalo Bills had an opening for an assistant trainer.
Tice found himself working under another legend in the sport as NFL Hall of Fame center Jim Ringo was at the helm in Buffalo.
“With Bowden and Ringo, at least I got hired by two big names in the business,” Tice joked.
Ringo lasted for Tice’s first year with the Bills, but was replaced by Chuck Knox after the team continued to struggle. Knox’s job was to build the team into contenders. Tice’s job was to help get him the information needed to bring the right players onto the team.
“My first job was to prepare for the draft and review all the top candidates that might fall to us,” Tice said. “I wrote medical profiles on players based on what we knew from their records, as well as our contacts from college trainers.
“We got through our first year, and drafted a guy named Phil Dokes (1976 Oklahoma State University All-American).”
That move was one that Tice looked fondly on, particularly after recalling O.J. Simpson gave Dokes the nickname “Okie-Dokie.” The best move Tice remembers from his time with the Bills, was actually one that he didn’t end up making.
Leading up to the 1979 draft, the Bills had a choice to make in the second round between Mark Gastineau and Fred Smerlas. Buffalo ended up selecting Smerlas 32nd overall, while Gastineau was scooped up by the New York Jets nine picks later.
“We looked at our data and, based on what we thought we knew, Gastineau would end up having leg, knee and back problems,” Tice said. “Fred was flexible, and he proved to be the better player over time because he played every game and never got hurt. Gastineau was constantly hurt in the back and lower body area.”
Outside of football, Tice spent the occasional night out with some of the older players on the team. That included names like former quarterbacks Joe Ferguson and Bill Munson.
In 1982, Tice took part in what was the inaugural NFL scouting combine. Only five teams were involved – the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
Knox was let go in 1985 and was replaced by Kay Stephenson. Around the same time Tice married his wife Paulette.
Two kids later, Tice was ready to make a change. That shifted his focus to a career where he could enjoy life with his family. A remote position with American Hospital Supply allowed him to stay in Buffalo. That company was acquired by Baxter International in 1985, leading to several rounds of cuts that included Tice’s branch.
That’s when Tice interviewed with Buffalo General Hospital (BGH) who had just gone through a massive overhaul of their own with a new CEO/President at the top. Tice became the administrative assistant to the CEO, putting him in the world of hospitals. After 18 years in that position, Tice’s former mentor who left three years into his stint at BGH and spent over a decade in Flint, called and swooned over the technology and advancements made at his newest job in Nebraska.
Naturally, Tice wanted to see what the buzz was about. He boarded a plane and, as his feet touched the ground for the first time in that state, Tice fell in love.
“When the plane landed, it just felt different,” Tice said. “I fell in love with it instantly. I made a promise to stay there for five years, and during that time life got so good. Paulette and I ended up staying for another five years before retiring.”
That’s where Bud and Paulette have been ever since. They do however, set aside time to visit Oceana County, a place that still holds great memories for Tice.
“I brought Paulette up here before we got married and showed her the sand dunes and Pentwater,” Tice said. “I told her this place was important to me and I hoped it would be for her too. Come to find out, it’s more important to her than it is to me. I’m pretty sure she’d leave me to come here for the summer if she had to.”
With a lifetime of accolades and accomplishments, Bud has plenty to be proud of. When asked to name the brightest feather in his decorated cap, he couldn’t settle on just one. He simply hopes he’s made an impact on those he’s worked with.
“Going from job to job, it’s been a long, but nice trail,” Tice said. “I’ve learned a lot, but I hope I’ve given just as much.”
