William E. Davis

William Eugene "Bud" Davis (February 15, 1929 – September 24, 2021)

Davis is best known in Colorado for writing the book Glory Colorado! A history of the University of Colorado, 1858-1963, which was also his doctoral thesis and nearly 800 pages as a publication. As a sitting university president, he ran for the U.S. Senate in Idaho in 1972.^[4]

Early career

Davis graduated from

The Buffaloes had just one win entering the finale at home on November 24, but pulled off an inspired 34–10 upset of heavily-favored Air Force at Folsom Field to finish at 2–8, the worst record in the program's 72-year history.^{[10][11][12][13]} The eight-month Bud Davis era at Boulder ended that day with his post-game resignation.^[12] In early 1963, Oklahoma assistant Eddie Crowder was hired on January 2,^[10][14][15] awarded a five-year contract at $15,000 per year.^[14]

Head coaching record

Glory Colorado!

While working on his doctoral degree and coaching the football team Davis was writing his thesis. He received special permission from the doctoral thesis committee to bypass the standard format and write the historical narrative book about the history of the University of Colorado at Boulder until that point.^[5] The name was chosen because the school song of the same name, which is set to the music of "Battle Hymn of the Republic", which he felt captured the school's spirit.^[5] He acquired the bulk of information for the book from student-published and local city newspapers. It was published in 1965 by Fred Pruitt, founder of Pruitt Press Inc. and also a journalism professor, who offered to print it at no cost. The book has been called the "primary historical reference for the University".^[5] The book, no longer in print, was sold canvas-bound for $8. An index to supplement the text was later published and distributed by the Associated Alumni.

Career

After receiving his doctoral degree in 1963, Davis left CU to become executive assistant to the president for student affairs at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

In 1972, while president at Idaho State in

Davis was the President of Idaho State University (1965–1975) and University of New Mexico (1975–1982),^[3][21] Chancellor of the Oregon University System (1982–1989) and Louisiana State University (1989–1996).

Davis published other works, including Miracle on the Mesa / A History of the University of New Mexico, 1889–2003.^[22] He served on the board of directors for Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque starting in 2005.^[23]

Later life

Davis was commissioned by CU to write Volume 2 of Glory Colorado! (

Davis died in 2021.[24] He had been married to Pollyanne Peterson, who died in 2020; they had four daughters and one son.

Awards and honors

• George Norlin Award, for distinguished service (1975)
• University of Colorado Alumnus of the Century Award (1977)
• CU Athletic Hall of Honor Award (1980)
• Davis Field, named in his honor
  • Outdoor venue for track & field and soccer on the Idaho State University campus in Pocatello; formerly the "
    Spud Bowl" (42°51′32″N 112°25′52″W / 42.859°N 112.431°W / 42.859; -112.431)^[25]