Photo courtesy of SUNY Fredonia Bud Carpenter speaking at his 2008 Fredonia Athletics Hall of Fame induction.

Special to the OBSERVER

Fredonia Athletics Hall of Fame member Bud Carpenter is retiring as director of training operations for the Buffalo Bills.

The team announced last Friday at Carpenter was stepping down after 33 seasons with the team — a position he auditioned for while the Bills were using Fredonia for training camp. A member of the college’s support staff, Carpenter impressed the team with his work ethic and — after he spent one year working for the Boston Bruins — hired him as assistant athletic trainer. Over time he was elevated to the position from which he is retiring.

Carpenter was an honorary inductee in the Fredonia Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. In addition to his professional success with the Bills, he was cited for his support and promotion of the Blue Devils athletic program as an athletic trainer, scorekeeper, Zamboni driver, counselor, and jack-of-all-trades helper.

He holds a Fredonia graduate degree in education which he attained in 1979.