Lasting Legacy: Bud Higgins known for hard work, leadership
Published 7:01 am Saturday, June 1, 2019
- The Higgins family, from left: Mark, Bud, Carolyne, John and Stephen. Photo provided
When former Austin boys swimming and diving head coach Albert “Bud” Higgins passed away two weeks ago, he left behind a legacy of hard work and leadership.
Whether Austin residents knew Bud as a teacher, a coach or the owner of Higgins Books in Austin, it’s likely he left an impression of hard work and a love of reading on them.
The Higgins family, from left: Mark, Bud, Carolyne, John and Stephen. Photo provided
Bud was a huge fan of Mark Twain and his favorite quote from the author was, “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
Bud’s son Mark Higgins, who now lives near Green Bay, Wisconsin, said he was certainly gratified by the motivation he received from his father.
Albert E. “Bud” Higgins, 86
“Dad definitely left his mark on many and hopefully he gratified more than he astonished,” he said. “He instilled work ethic and leadership in us. Dad connected with us intellectually in a motivational manner.”
Many of Bud’s former swimmers went on to join the coaching ranks after they graduated from Austin and John Madura and Tom Madura eventually joined him in the Minnesota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
“The greatest testimony to him was his ability to inspire leadership and work ethic,” Mark said. “Dad really tried to inspire passion in all of those he touched, whether it be through reading books or swimming.”
Bud began teaching and coaching in Austin in 1961 and stayed in it for over 20 years. When the pool at Ellis Middle School was named after him in 2013, Bud said his favorite memories of coaching swimming involved his son John setting the breaststroke record and the dramatic recovery of Austin grad Randy Stoike, who was hit by a motorcycle on his way to swim practice.
Stoike was told he would never walk again and he had to give up the breaststroke.
While Bud was ready to make Stoike the team manager, Stoike was able to find a way to compete. In his junior season, Stoike ended up getting caught in the rope on a turn at the state meet and finished in seventh place. His senior year, which was in 1965, Stoike won the state title and received a standing ovation from everyone in the building.
