Michigan State University Athletics
Brian Bury: On the Dime, Every Time
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 30, 2006
This feature originally appeared in Spartan SportsZone Magazine for the Illinois game
By Teddy Newton, MSU Sports Information Student Assistant
A new quarterback that completes 70 percent of his passes is going to get more attention than a long snapper that executes a perfect snap every time. On the other hand, a long snapper that only hits his target 70 percent of the time will get plenty of attention, but it won't be the good kind. Being a long-snapper is far from the most prestigious role on a football team, but it's among the most demanding. Michigan State senior long snapper Brian Bury has met those demands by being a mainstay on the Spartan special teams unit, and by living up to his motto, "On the Dime, Every Time."
"From a special teams standpoint, it's good to know you have a player that will do his job," said Michigan State special teams and running backs coach, Ben Sirmans. "We know that no matter what the situation is, Brian is going to put the ball exactly where it needs to be."
The road to being a collegiate long-snapper began very early for Bury, a native of Marion, Ohio. He practiced at home with his father Jeff, who played football for Purdue in the late 1970's.
"It all started at a very young age," Bury said. "I'd snap in the yard with my father and it has grown to having the opportunity to play here."
In addition to having his father help him along the way, Bury was tutored in long snapping by former Cincinnati Bengals kicker Jim Breech. Breech played for the Bengals from 1980-92, and was part of two AFC championship teams. Bury acknowledges Breech's role in his development as a player and stays in contact with him.
"We still keep in touch," Bury said. "I met him at a summer camp and was able to work with him one-on-one. That's paid big dividends for me."
While Brian's parents, Jeff Bury and Vera Kelley-Bury, would both love to be at all of Brian's games, it isn't always possible. That's because on many Saturday's, one of them is watching Brian, while the other is watching Brian's brother play for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. A sophomore, Brad Bury plays fullback and also long-snaps for the Bearcats.
"It's been difficult, but in a good way, for our parents to make it to both of our games," Brian Bury explained. "Typically, what will happen is one parent will travel north to Michigan State while the other goes south to Cincinnati."
Even though his training as a long-snapper has been a life-long process, Bury has also achieved greatness in other athletic areas. He competed in the shot put and discus at Harding High School and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. While he denies ever dueling with teammate and fellow martial arts aficionado Javon Ringer, Bury believes that his work in Tae Kwon Do has benefited his football career.
"It really helps out for flexibility and mental discipline," Bury said. "I'm able to hone in on the task at hand."
Bury has many options once his senior season ends. He hopes to continue his football career at the professional level, but he has also prepared himself for life after football. Bury earned a bachelor's degree in food industry management in May 2005, is currently pursuing a master's degree in kinesiology, and completed an internship with the football program.
"I've interned in the football building and I hope to work at the Clara Bell Smith Center in the spring while I'm training for the NFL," Bury said. "I've been blessed with the resources here, and I'd like to give back."
What exactly Bury will be doing in the future years to come is unknown. Whatever it is, you can be confident he'll be striving for perfection. He'll be trying, as always, to be on the dime, every time.
