About Bud's Run

Through this race, we remember and celebrate the life of Bud Swanson. Bud left life here after a race against sarcoma, a rare type of cancer. Bud coached girls' cross-country at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream for 18 years. Among his friends, family, and colleagues, Bud's commitment to running as a way to be physically and mentally healthy is well known. This race is our way of embracing that mission. Please enjoy your run / walk and celebrate your fitness!

Remembering and Celebrating Harold (Bud) Swanson, Jr.
Born May 29, 1941 - Moved on April 10, 2003

Family Man, Friend, Educator, Coach, Mentor, and Runner

Bud was a man of discipline and determination, passion and compassion, humor and spirit. He was a man who would shed a tear for the athlete who achieved greatness and the child who struggled with achieving acceptance. Bud led a full existence in the life he created, the family that he loved, the people he considered friends, and his work that was a matter of pride and personal accomplishment. Bud was a unique person whose life should be referenced for those who are trying to attain a sense of completeness along with a sense of wonder for what is yet unknown.

Educator

Bud was a school psychologist for 36 years and made important contributions to his field as both a professional among his peers and as a compassionate advocate for his students. He received the Illinois School Psychologists Association Distinguished Service Award in 1981, was the National Association of School Psychologists regional director from 1981 - 1983, was President of the Illinois School Psychologists Association in 1988-89, was a 1991 Finalists for the National School Psychologist of the Year, and received the ISPA President's Award in 2003.

Coach and Mentor

Bud was very proud of the years that he spent working with young women athletes as a cross country and track and field coach. He seemed to take considerable pride in the impressive young athletes that he supported as they worked toward personal goals as athletes and grew into remarkable young women. Throughout his 20 years of coaching, his cross-country teams went to the State competition eight times and won four state trophies including being State Champions in 1994. In track and cross country, many of his girls won state medals and championships, several were awarded Division I scholarships, and even more impressively, at recent count, at least twelve of his former athletes have gone on to become coaches themselves. His inspiration, determination, and compassion left a permanent footprint on everyone he touched.

Runner

Touching people was one of his natural gifts, but running was one of his biggest personal passions. Just six months before he was diagnosed with cancer, he ran a half marathon. He didn't place in that race, but he placed in most races in which he competed. However, it wasn't about placing for him. You wouldn't even hear him boast about his trophies or his victories. It was about the passion. He made running a true celebration in his life, in the life of others who ran with him, and for the athletes he trained. His spirit could carry the most defeated runner to the finish.

The Battle

Unfortunately, Bud's spirit couldn't conquer the aggressive form of cancer with which he was diagnosed in December of 2002, soft tissue sarcoma. He fought a remarkably brave battle against the deadly disease that took his life in just four short months. On April 10, 2003 Bud was taken by this horribly aggressive form of cancer. But without blame, self-pity, or anger, he died leaving those he left behind with a determination to not only help find a cure for sarcoma but also to lead by example such a wonderful life of fulfillment, generosity, and compassion. Let us celebrate life as Bud would have wished.