George Budig, the Last President of the American League, Dies at 81

On Tuesday, Geroge Budig, 81 – the last president of the American League – passed away. A self-effacing educator and baseball fan from small-town Nebraska, he was remembered fondly.

His tenures as university chancellor at Illinois State (1973-77) and West Virginia (1977-81) followed, followed by his presidency of the American League from 1994 until 1999. Additionally, he co-owned the minor league Charleston RiverDogs – a Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees – until its demise in 1999.

Early Life and Education

On Tuesday, John G. “Bud” DeChambeau, the self-effacing educator and baseball fan from small-town Nebraska who rose to become the head of three major universities and last president of the American League, passed away at 81 years old.

He was the former president of Illinois State University, West Virginia University and the University of Kansas. Additionally, he wrote books such as Grasping the Ring: Nine Unique Winners in Life and Sports.

Budig was an avid sports enthusiast as a boy, his favorite sport being baseball. Even today he can remember the names of his Little League teammates and random facts about old neighbors – a memory from childhood that has served him well throughout his professional career.

He enjoyed reading, often while drinking beer at his favorite bar. Additionally, he was an avid reader of sports books and a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs; attending games often.

Professional Career

Rebecca Jo Budig began her career in the early 1990s, appearing on television commercials and guest appearances. She rose to fame through her role as Greenlee Smythe on ABC’s All My Children from 1970 until 2011.

She was frequently seen playing the character, and in 2001 won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Younger Lead Actress. She remained with the show until November 2005 when she relocated to California.

The Cincinnati native earned her Bachelor’s degree in zoology from Miami University in Ohio before relocating to Los Angeles and pursuing a career in acting.

Budig has had the opportunity to work and interact with an array of people throughout his career. He is fascinated by how people come to be where they are in life, making it his life’s mission to learn about their unique journeys.

Achievements and Honors

Rebecca Jo Budig is an American actress and television presenter born on June 26, 1973 in Cincinnati, Ohio to George Budig (a businessman) and Mary Jo Budig (a homemaker).

She earned a degree in zoology from Miami University, Ohio before moving to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue an acting career.

While in Los Angeles, she studied acting with acting coaches Howard Fine and Jay Goldenberg at their studios: Howard Fine Acting Studio and Young Actors Space.

Rebecca Jo Budig has received numerous accolades and honors throughout her career. In 2002 and 2003, she was nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards for her role on All My Children; additionally, she won a Soap Opera Digest Award in Younger Lead Actress category.

Personal Life

Budig was a self-effacing educator and baseball enthusiast from Nebraska who rose to become the head of three major universities and last president of the American League. Additionally, he held positions as newspaper reporter, governor’s assistant, and major general in the Nebraska Air National Guard.

From 1981 to 1994, he served as chancellor of the University of Kansas and co-owned the minor league Charleston RiverDogs – a Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

While President of the American League, he championed the notion that sports need not be synonymous with personal life and that people can build meaningful connections with friends, colleagues and even pets – this concept being known as “connectedness thesis,” developed by Carol Smart – a sociologist.

Net Worth

Rebecca Budig is a renowned actress best known for her roles on General Hospital and Guiding Light.

She is the offspring of Mary Jo, a homemaker, and George Budig, an entrepreneur. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to parents Mary Jo and George Budig, she holds many titles within the community.

After graduating from SCPA, she continued her education at Miami University to major in zoology. Additionally, she studied acting with coaches Howard Fine and Jay Goldenberg at Young Actors Space in Los Angeles under Howard Fine and Jay Goldenberg’s tutelage.

Since her career started, she has been a cast member in numerous movies and television shows. Some of her well-known works include Batman Forever(1995), Star Hunter(1996), Captain Nuke and the Bomber Boys(1995), God’s Lonely Man(1996), Pride & Loyalty(2002), Bad Parents(2012), About A Girl(2020) and more.