Sportswriter Bud Vander Veer covered a variety of events for the Herald-Journal and the Herald American newspapers over the course of his 54-year career including the Syracuse Nationals, the Syracuse Chiefs and Syracuse University sporting events. But it was his coverage of local bowling and harness racing that Vander Veer is most remembered for.

 

Vander Veer's horse racing column, "Bud's Picks", was a daily staple in the Herald-Journal during Vernon's racing season. His work helped him get elected into the U.S. Harness Association Hall of Fame in 1991. Vander Veer also gave extensive coverage to local bowling. He supervised the Herald Masters bowling tournament for 20 years and the tournament's championship plaque bears his name. His dedication to bowling earned him a spot in the Syracuse Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1986.

 

Although he retired from the Herald newsroom in 1986, Vander Veer continued to cover horse racing and bowling as a contributing writer.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1939-1993: Staff writer for the Herald-Journal newspaper

 

1941-1945: Served in the Army during WWII, where he rose from private to major

 

1945: Returned to the Herald-Journal sports desk

 

1946-1963: Beat reporter for the Syracuse Nationals basketball team

 

1946-1966: Tournament Director of the Herald Master Bowling Tournament

 

1953: Covered opening of Vernon Downs and began a column called "Bud’s Picks"; Member and president of the Vernon Harness Writers Association for more than 30 years

 

1976: The first person in the media to receive the "Great Guy Award" from the U.S. Harness Association.

 

1986: Elected into the Syracuse Bowling Hall of Fame.

 

1990: Received the Blind Men and Criers annual “Edward J Kearney Award” for service to the community

 

1991: Elected into the U.S. Harness Association Hall of Fame

 

2002: Inducted into the Syracuse Press Club Wall of Fame

 

Active member of the board of directors of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame until his death in 2004