Mike Buzin ’94 played a key role on the Saint Ignatius powerhouse football team in the early 1990s. During that dominant run, he was a two-year starter on both offensive and defensive lines. His high school career culminated in undefeated junior and senior seasons, capped by the USA Today national title in 1993 and state titles in ’91, ’92, and ’93.
Mike describes growing up in Westlake as part of a “football family.” His dad, Rich, played football at Penn State in the 1960s, followed by five seasons in the NFL. Mike still remembers the excitement of arriving on the Saint Ignatius campus to train before his freshman football season.
“As a kid, I was maniacal about football. When I began making new friends and with my love for the game, I couldn’t get enough. I always felt comfortable on campus, in the weight room, the gym, academic settings, the chapel. I could be dropped off on a Saturday and never wanted to be anywhere else.”
Offensive line and strength coach Marty Eynon was an important and positive influence on Mike. “He always got more out of each player than they thought they could give. He went above and beyond to make sure we put the work in, even giving me rides to Saturday morning workouts.” Mike describes an expectation of excellence, not just from the team but the school. “I look back now and see it was a great athletic, religious and academic institution.”
Mike earned seven letters in football, basketball and track. During his senior season of football, he posted 15 ½ sacks, was tri-captain for USA Today national champions and named First Team All-District, First Team All-Ohio, a Parade All-American, and Ohio Defensive Player of the Year, putting him in a very exclusive club at Saint Ignatius.
Awarded a five-year football scholarship to Penn State, Mike was a strong utility player for the Nittany Lions. At the same time, he completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Supply Chain Management, their first student to achieve this on a single athletic scholarship.
While at Penn State, Mike was coached by the renowned Joe Paterno, the most victorious college coach in NCAA history. “But I think Coach Kyle was a better coach, a great Xs and Os guy. If you look at what we were doing on the field, our plays and formations were far more advanced compared to any high school team playing in the 1990s.”
Mike went on to a successful 25-year career in his field and is now the Director of Supply Chain and Logistics for GenPact, a global consulting firm.
“Looking back, Saint Ignatius made me a well-rounded person – with its emphasis on the Catholic faith, service to others, academics and athletics. You never really appreciate it in the moment. This Hall of Fame award is the biggest honor of my life, not superseding family and children, but it is my biggest accomplishment, professionally or athletically.”
Mike lives in Philadelphia with wife Susan. Their children are Katherine (24), Sarah (21), and Jacob Michael Ignatius Buzin (19).
Saint Ignatius' annual Wildcats Roar celebration will take place on Saturday, August 17 at 5 p.m. where Mike and four others will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. For more information and to register, please visit this link.