A native of Norfolk, Virginia Eugene “Buck” Mayer was a 1916 graduate of the University of Virginia with a law degree. He played at Virginia during his undergraduate days as a halfback in football. Buck was recognized throughout the South and later the East as the “South’s First All-American” and was chosen to the 1915 Walter Camp All-American Team. Camp’s teams were the forerunners of the present day All-Americans.
Mayer is credited with five University of Virginia records: most points scored in one game (36) against the University of Richmond in 1915, most touchdowns (21) in one season in 1914, most points scored in one season (142) in 1914, most career touch downs (48) from 1912 through 1915. He also scored the most career points (312) over the same four year span.
Mayer also excelled in track with his best in shot put (16 Pounds) of 42 feet 3 inches; 22 feet 9 inches broad jump; 5 feet 8 inches high jump and 100-yard dash in 10.1 flat.
Mayer is deceased but will always be remembered as one of Virginia’s greatest athletes of all time.