Boys Track & Field - Captain of the 1971 MHSAA State Championship Team (Shot Put)

Earned All League, All County, and All State Recognition in both Football and Track & Field

HHS Class of 1971

He began his high school career as a three-sport athlete…football, basketball and track. But then, what would become a lifelong passion for hunting forced a tough decision and, his basketball career was left by the wayside.

Wesley “Buzz” Tyler began to concentrate all of his efforts upon football in the fall and track in the spring. His coaches and teammates recognized his leadership and athletic prowess and he was chosen as ‘captain’ for both squads. Each football season, the Hamady Brother trophy is presented to the outstanding player in the Holly-Fenton football game. In 1970, Buzz Tyler was selected trophy recipient for his stellar performance.

In the 1971 MHSAA regional meet at Oxford High, Buzz set the Holly High shot put record with a heave of 56’3 1/2”…a record that has stood the test of time and now, 46 years later, still rests at the top of our record board.

On May 23rd of 1971, Tyler’s track team won the MHSAA Class B state title. It was the epitome of a TEAM effort. The title was earned without any individual first place finishes, but rather with strong performances in all events. For its’ efforts, the ’71 track team was awarded a spot in the Broncho Hall of Fame in 2001.

Buzz Tyler excelled in both of his chosen sports and earned All-league, All-county and All-state recognition in both football, as tackle and defensive end, and in track as a shot putter.

Following graduation, Buzz moved to Rapid River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where he worked as a carpenter and construction mason until his retirement. For many years he has been avid outdoorsman and has pursued the passion for hunting and fishing that began as a young man in Holly. There is little doubt that “Buzz” has engendered that same passion in his sons…William, Robert and Jonathan.

At Holly High we remain proud of Wesley Tyler years after he made his last big tackle and threw his last long-distance shot. We are honored to count Wesley “Buzz” Tyler as one of Holly’s finest athletes.