Thanks to a major gift from an anonymous donor, the field that will once again see NCAA football action at Lamar University will bear the name of former player and longtime Lamar advocate W.S. "Bud" Leonard, officials announced today.

Celebrated as a leader on and off the field, Leonard was honored by community, friends, students and staff of the university in the Cardinal Hall of Honor, Monday, Aug. 25 in a news conference where the naming was announced.

"In appreciation of this most generous gift to the university and the Lamar football program, its students, and the people of Texas, particularly Southeast Texas, the stadium playing field will be named the W.S. "Bud" Leonard Field," said James Simmons, president of the university.

"I want to thank my dear, longtime friend who made the anonymous gift to make this possible," Leonard said. "When he and Jimmy talked to me about this, I want you to know I turned into a lump of silly putty. You touched me, Jimmy, you and our friend, that day."

When Leonard came to Lamar University (then Lamar Junior College) in 1948, he came to play football. Sixty years and three degrees later, he remains one of its most ardent cheerleaders.

"Bud Leonard is a well-respected alumnus and retiree of Lamar University," Simmons said. "Bud has a great love for football and for Lamar. As a young man, Bud played his heart out for Lamar. Throughout his career and beyond he has been devoted to this institution, its students, student athletes and alumni. I cannot think of a more fitting honor than to name this field for him."

"Let me tell you what Lamar has done for me," Leonard said. "My life. Lamar gave me my life. I couldn't have even thought about a college education without that scholarship. I got an education that led to a chance to go to Officer Candidate School, a chance to become a naval aviator, a career in the advertising business, a career at Lamar ... and here I found my bride."

At the news conference, a plaque on the wall reflecting Leonard's football career -- he was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 1974 -- was among the many detailing the exploits of the university's collegiate athletes through the years. "Bud was the organizing president of the Hall of Honor," Simmons said. "The first meetings were held in his home. We have a Hall of Honor, really, because of Bud's vision."

Nearby, a large rendering of the planned brick-and-iron-gated portico entrance with the lettering W. S. "Bud" Leonard Field was on display.

Legendary Austin High coach Stan Lambert, who had led the Maroons to several conference titles from 1936 to 1947 before joining the Cardinal coaching staff, brought Leonard to Lamar. Leonard had played high school ball for Lambert and the two "graduated" together to junior college play. Austin High School named Leonard a Distinguished Alumnus in 1988.

"My aspirations were to be able to complete college," Leonard said. "I had grown up in Austin in the shadow of the University of Texas. All I ever heard was how tough college was going to be ... and I was the first in my family to go. I knew how to play football, but I was scared to death."

Whatever his motivation, it didn't take long for the strapping Naval Reserve seaman recruit to start scoring points. He won the John Gray Award for the graduate athlete with the highest scholastic average.

And in 1949, as a left guard he helped lead the Cardinals to a conference co-championship. Leonard is most proud to have been elected co-captain of the team by his peers and that the team was ranked No. 1 that year in the Williamson Poll.

Leonard played two years for Lamar Junior College, then in 1950 played an independent schedule as Lamar made the transition from two- to four- year status. He played two more years for Lamar State College of Technology.

"Because of that year of transition, I still had a year of eligibility left when I graduated. Coach Woodard (Lamar's new head football coach) didn't seem too interested when I mentioned it," he said with a chuckle.

Leonard received his associate in arts diploma in 1950, but didn't stop there. By 1953, he had earned a bachelor's degree in physical education, all the while serving in the Naval Reserve.

Upon graduation, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., being commissioned in November 1953. Then, he set his sights even higher -- as a Navy pilot. He earned his wings of gold in 1955.

Eighteen months later, he served his Far East duty flying Douglas Skyraiders from the aircraft carrier USS Wasp in a tour that took him from California to Hawaii, Guam, Japan and the Philippines. He was released from active duty in 1957.

With all he had accomplished, Leonard had not yet tried his hand at the one thing he might have studied under different circumstances -- commercial art and advertising. Some well-meaning teachers talked him out of it in favor of a degree in education. Experience had sharpened his confidence, and upon his return from military service, Leonard took on the advertising business.

Twenty years later, Leonard had amassed an impressive career, rising to senior vice president of the Beaumont office of Goodman, Dannenbaum, Littman and Wingfield, a leading ad agency.

For his alma mater, Leonard had helped to organize an ex-lettermen's club in 1961, which later became the Cardinal Club. He was a charter member and second president of the Cardinal Club and served on various university committees.

When Lamar President John Gray called on Leonard in 1975, "I thought he wanted me to serve on another committee," Leonard said, "but he wanted me to come to work for Lamar."

During his 19 years in university relations and development, Leonard never stopped learning. In 1977, he earned his third Lamar degree -- a master's in communication. During this time, Lamar saw steady growth in the level of gifts and donations, including several significant planned gifts, and the establishment of the university's first endowed academic chairs. Leonard was a charter member of the Friends of the Arts and the first Le Grand Bal chair. He also served as a member of the LU Foundation Board from 1975 to 1993.

The former vice president of university relations and vice chancellor for development retired in 1994. The following year, he and his wife, Charlene, formed Action Creative Team, a home-based advertising company providing consultation in the areas of marketing, advertising and fund raising. They have two grown children, Joni and Will, and twin granddaughters.

Since retirement, Leonard has continued to support Lamar in many capacities, including service as president of the alumni association and member of the Friends of the Arts Board. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2000.

"Finally, it is my hope that coaches Stan Lambert, J.B. Higgins and my dear friend and mentor, John Gray, are looking down to say they approve of this message also," Leonard said.