Eastern Washington University Athletics

Buzzard earned NCAA FCS All-America honors twice as an offensive tackle, earning first team honors in 1997 and third team accolades in 1996. He earned All-Big Sky Conference first team honors both seasons. He was selected by the Eastern Athletic Department to the “100 for 100” All-Time Football Team, which was honored on Sept. 27, 2008, to commemorate Eastern’s 100th year of football. The 1997 football team he played on was inducted into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. That 1997 squad won the Big Sky Conference title and went on to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs (then I-AA). The 1997 team finished 12-2 overall and 7-1 in the Big Sky Conference under head coach Mike Kramer. His Eastern teammates – wide receiver Jeff Ogden (inducted 2018), linebacker Derek Strey (2024) and defensive linemen Chris Scott and Dario Romero (both in 2019) have previously been inducted into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame. Buzzard originally came to Eastern as an undersized 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive lineman, but moved to the offensive line in the spring of 1994 and gained 60 pounds. He started the 1994 season as a backup, but he got a chance to prove himself after a couple of starters went down with injuries. Eastern finished just 3-8 overall and 1-7 in the Big Sky, but tailback Joe Sewell rushed for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns. Eastern had another 1,000 rusher in 1996 (Sewell with 1,094) and then two in 1997 (Rex Prescott with 1,793 and Mike MacKenzie with 1,058).

After his Eastern career concluded, Buzzard signed a free agent contract with San Diego of the NFL in 1998. The 1993 graduate of Centralia, Wash., HS earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern and then attended law school at Seattle University and the University of Washington. He earned his Juris Doctorate in law in less than three years, and is now partner of Buzzard O’Rourke Attorneys at Law.  His legal practice focuses on estate planning, probate administration and trusts, real estate law and business issues.  He also serves as Municipal Court Judge, Land Use Hearing Examiner and Seizure Hearing Examiner for the City of Centralia, and also serves as the city attorney for several communities in the area. His wife, Meaghan, played tennis at Eastern and they have two children. Their son, William, is a second-generation Eagle football player as a redshirt in 2023 and freshman in 2024. William graduated from W.F. West High School in 2023.
     
Comments from Then-Head Coach Mike Kramer: “Converted from an undistinguished short career as a defensive end to an offensive tackle under the tutelage of offensive line coach Paul Wulff...he quickly became regarded as one of the best offensive tackles in the Big Sky Conference...passionate for success...driven...mean and wicked on the field...quiet leader...man of few words...academically no-nonsense as student... naturally strong and flexible...added strength and weight to become the best player on a talented offensive line (Maybe EWU's very best)...fast...devastating as a deep puller on counter plays...great footwork as a pass blocker...equally adept on screen pulls and alley screens...fun to coach...willing...great team player...leader...humble.”