Remembering Buddy Strauss

By Jim Joanos

In late August, Theo "Buddy" Strauss died. Strauss was the Florida State University football team's brightest star in its first bowl game ever.

Early on there were just a few college bowl games. It was a big deal when at the end of the 1949 season, only the third season after FSU had restarted its football program, the Seminoles played in one.

On January 2, 1950, in Tampa's Fourth Annual Cigar Bowl game, before 14,000 fans, Florida State, pummeled its opponent, Wofford College of Spartanburg, South Carolina 19 to 6. It was a major upset, as Wofford had not lost a game in over two years. Pre-game predictions from the experts had Wofford winning by at least two touchdowns and as much as thirty-five points. The Seminoles, although the champions of the fledgling Dixie Conference, were expected to put up little resistance.

The game started out as expected when with only about two minutes into the game, Wofford blocked a punt and took it in for a touchdown. However, thereafter it was all FSU.

A number of Seminoles starred that day. But, it was Fullback-Defensive End Buddy Strauss who shined the brightest. He sparkled on both sides of the ball. On offense, he led all ball carriers in compiling 132 yards rushing and another 20 passing. His total offense of 152 yards was more than the 139 yards gained by Wofford's entire team.

On defense, Strauss slammed through over and over again making big play after big play. Before the game FSU coaches had learned from newspaper clippings that Wofford's tail back was the team's main threat. FSU Coach Don Veller and his assistants designed a special over shifting defense in an attempt to stop the gifted runner. The scheme depended upon a defensive end getting through the line quickly and disrupting the backfield situation before the action could develop. In pregame preparations, Strauss was chosen to play that most important position. The strategy worked to perfection.

Strauss had the caps on a couple of his teeth knocked out during the game. After the game, he was too tired to eat at the bowl banquet.

Strauss, from Tallahassee, had been a three sport letterman at Leon High School. He served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he entered Duke University to play football and did well his Freshman season. However, an automobile accident and the injuries that resulted cut his Duke tenure short.

When he healed, he decided in 1948, to stay in his hometown of Tallahassee, play football at FSU, and complete his college education. He starred on the FSU team during both of his seasons there.

Shortly after graduation, Strauss married June Fouts, whom he had met at FSU. During their marriage, they had six children. There have been sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren, so far.

After college, Buddy and June stayed in Tallahassee. Buddy first got a job selling cars. June headed up a household that has grown and grown. Buddy later got into the electrical appliances business and eventually became a very successful Tallahassee business man involved in a variety of enterprises including retail, investments, real estate, and development.

Throughout his life, Buddy was generous with his time and resources. He was a strong supporter of his church and a number of charities and other organizations. He registered countless hours of volunteerism. In 1980, Buddy Strauss was inducted into the Florida State University Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments as an FSU athlete. His other accomplishments were outstanding and numerous.

It was my good luck to have had Buddy Strauss as a friend. He was a fine person who did a lot of good things. He will be missed.