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- Year:
- 1953-1955
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- Sports Played:
- Swimming Athlete
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- Induction Year:
- 2008
Bio
After earning All-America honors in 1952-53 at Huntington Beach High School, Buddy competed for the Pirates and proceeded to shatter OCC records for years to come. As a freshman, Belshe and teammate Chuck Atkinson were named to the 1954 National Junior College All-American swimming team and both were selected in the 220-, 440- and 1,000-meter freestyle events. Belshe, whose quarter-mile and 1,500 meter "mile" times were the best junior college marks in the nation, also made the All-American team in the 150-yard individual medley. At the State Junior College swim meet, held at Fresno, Belshe capped a nearly-perfect junior college season with three championships and meet high-point honors, winning the Helm's Athletic Foundation High Point Trophy for the third consecutive meet. Belshe won the 220, 440 and 1,500 titles, to make it three straight in each, previously winning the Eastern Conference and Southern California crowns. As a sophomore, Belshe won the Athlete of the Year award. He was ranked as one of the best junior college swimmers in the nation. Belshe won four State titles, two Helm's trophies and established Orange Coast records in all freestyle events from 50 yards through 1,500 meters. Following his Coast career, Buddy attended the University of Denver and later, he placed ninth in the 1956 Olympic Trials in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Thirteen times, he was named an All-American in swimming. Following his athletic career, Belshe remained close to the water and began his lifeguarding career in 1950 and became a full-time Marine Safety Officer for the City of Newport Beach from 1960-1987. From 1988-2007, Buddy worked as a Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard for the Newport Beach Fire Department.
