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Since 1995, Buddy estimates helping over 400 kids find high schools and colleges where they could play basketball and further their education. Currently, 19 of those play on professional teams in the US and internationally.
Coach's Words to live byCoach Mason’s approach to life and basketball are one and the same.
HOOPS RESUME
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Buddy and basketball became forever intertwined in 1947, on the night he played his first game for St Michael’s under Coach Father Gregory. At eight years old, he scored all of his team’s points in St Michael’s 10-8 victory over St Leo’s — and the dye was cast. Buddy joined the Frank L. Ashley Green Wave for high school. The 4A Division Waves, a powerhouse in North Carolina basketball under Coach Ted Carter, sparked his interest in post play. He led them in rebounding and free throw percentage. After his tenure at Ashley, Mason chose the University of Georgia over Furman and Wofford and joined the freshman team in 1957 - in those days, college freshmen weren’t allowed to play varsity sports in the NCAA so schools formed freshman teams. He then moved onto the varsity team, coached by Harbin “Red” Lawson. It was here that Mason got his first opportunity to understand the strategies behind zone defensive schemes and the impact a defense could have on a game by changing the tempo. Once his college eligibility ran out (and his name wasn’t called in the draft), he enrolled in grad school and served as a UGA student assistant coach in 1962. In 1966 he launched the first of four annual North South All Star games, which attracted top talent from colleges across the country and many players who would go on to play professional ball. Notable players included Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and Austin “Red” Robbins. (To read more about the North South All Star games, click here.)
From 1969-76, Buddy coached at George Washington University, Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Georgia, where he mostly focused on recruiting and coaching the freshman squads. Here he found his niche developing relationships with the players as a coach and mentor; teaching them fundamentals and strategy and challenging them to reach their full potential on and off the court. His 1972 freshman team at the University of Georgia was the best in the SEC. Fast forward almost twenty years to 1995, during which time Buddy raised a family and built a successful sales career, and basketball came knocking once again. He founded Lynchburg Hoops Basketball Program, which mentored high school student athletes, including international players, on the court and in the classroom and gave these kids an opportunity to compete against top teams in national tournaments held over summer break. Buddy picked up right where he’d left off, with playbooks, drills and tell-it-like-it-is guidance (and you can believe his players got an earful as they crisscrossed the country by van). He brought back the zone defenses from his college years and continuously stressed the importance of executing crisp plays, rebounding and capitalizing on free throws. He had a knack for getting his players to “buy-in” and work together and, though they may have looked like a motley crew when they stepped onto the court, they spent their summers upsetting teams with far bigger names (and larger travel budgets). Buddy continued coaching summer teams, running camps, and helping those kids enroll in colleges for the next nearly 15 years. From 2011-2014, Buddy served as Head Coach of the Virginia University of Lynchburg mens basketball team in its first three years of varsity basketball following a 50-year hiatus from sports at the school. Based on record and strength of schedule, the team was invited to compete in the end-of-season Christian College National Invitational Tournament (CCNIT) in 2012, 2013 and 2014, where they finished fifth, second and fifth, respectively. During the 2013-2014 season, the VUL Dragons played the fifth toughest schedule among schools eligible to compete in the CCNIT. A few years ago, Buddy started recording stories of his experiences from college and a lifetime love affair with basketball and has organized them into audio books, which will soon be available for CD and audio download (learn more about The Adventures of Bubba Hoops here). When he’s not playing author or coach (or posting on FaceBook), he enjoys spending time with his wife, Eloise, and dog, Gertie (ideally on the boat at Smith Mtn Lake) and keeping up with his granddaughter’s antics on FaceTime. |
An Interview with Coach Mason
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In a 2012 interview, then-Head Basketball Coach of Virginia University of Lynchburg Mason talks about taking his team to the post-season in the school's first season of basketball following a 50+ year hiatus.
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