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W. Raymond "Buddy" Showalter, Jr.
Class of 1946 Athlete “Buddy” Showalter was one of a number of HHS athletes of the mid-1940’s who excelled in several sports. He was a member of the 1945 and 1946 basketball teams and was chosen as captain in 1946. Buddy also played baseball on the 1945 and 1946 teams. During those 2 years he was the .JPG) only pitcher on the team, so he had to “keep on going” no matter the score. Buddy was a 4 year member of the football team, starting as fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. He was a member of the 1944 half-state championship team. He was voted “Most Athletic” and “Most Popular” by his senior classmates. Buddy was a man of many talents. In addition to his athletic skills, he had a rich singing voice. He began voice lessons at HHS, then enrolled at Madison College in 1946, the first year that men were enrolled there. He continued his voice lessons and graduated in 1950, then briefly did graduate studies in voice at the Julliard School of Music in New York City. Upon returning to Harrisonburg Buddy became a successful businessman, real estate developer and cattle farmer. He remained a loyal supporter of HHS athletics throughout his lifetime. |