Budd graduated from Yale University in 1961, and then joined Philadelphia's Vesper Boat Club, winning with them national titles in the pairs, fours, and eights in 1964 and 1965. He also won a bronze medal in the eights at the 1965 European championships. In 1962, he spent a year at Cambridge University in England, and won with them the Henley Royal Regatta in the eights.
