W.F. “Buster” McGuire (1929)

After working his way to the mainland on a freighter he arrived in Wisconsin with $200 earned during the summer at Hawaiian Pine, to pay his first year's tuition. He became a Wisconsin immortal. A freshman member of Wisconsin's 1930 track team he was only beaten in the dashes by famous Ralph Medcalf of Marquette and Ed Tolan of Michigan. Faced with this competition he decided – fortunately for Wisconsin – to concentrate on football. The result: three letters (1930 – 32): chosen Big Ten All-Star Team (1932); named most valuable player for the Chicago Tribune trophy (1932); selected to play on the East team (1933); selected on some All-American and Honorable Mention teams (1933); named to Wisconsin's All-Time Football team for years 1919 – 1961; named to Wisconsin's Athletic Hall of Fame.

At Wisconsin, he was called “Mickey” McGuire and in 1979 the Wisconsin-Minnesota football game was dedicated in “Mickey's” honor in recognition of his athletic accomplishments and particularly his performance in their 1932 game when he ran the opening kick-off back 90 yard to score and then caught two passes for spectacular runs to “single-handedly” beat Minnesota, 20 – 13.

Declining offers from the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Panthers, and Chicago Cubs, Buster returned to Honolulu where, over the years, he has continued to play a prominent role in island sports. For example: Managing director Hula Bowl – 30 years; Hawaiian Open – on executive board since its inception; Hawaii Baseball League – past president; Honolulu Stadium – past president and director; Pro Bowl '79 – managing director. Buster also served five terms in the Territorial House of Representatives and for many years was special assistant to the President of United Airlines for its Hawaii operations. Retired, he devotes much attention to his other favorite sport – golf.