In honor of Jeff, family and friends have established scholarship funds at Bemidji State to support students. Jeff loved cheering on the Beavers hockey team, played goalie for the club hockey team, and played on the golf team. He also loved the northwoods setting of BSU and was out hunting and fishing whenever possible. Jeff graduated in 2010 with degrees in business and sports management.
We welcome you to make a gift to one of the established funds below:
- Jeff "Bird" McBride Memorial Scholarship in support of BSU men's golf and men's hockey athletes
- Jeff "Bird" McBride Academic Scholarship in support of business administration and sports management majors
- Jeff "Bird" McBride Women's Golf Scholarship in support of BSU women's golf
Gary and Ruth McBride with the BSU golf teams (2019)
BSU Club Hockey
BSU Club Hockey
Club Hockey
Past McBride Memorial Tournament
Past McBride Memorial Tournament
Past McBride Memorial Tournament
Gary and Ruth McBride, center, with scholarship recipients
Ruth and Gary McBride see the Jeff "Bird" McBride Clubhouse for the first time
Gary McBride makes the ceremonial first putt on the putting green
Ruth and Gary McBride, parents of the late Jeff "Bird" McBride
Sean McBride tests the golf simulator at the Jeff "Bird" McBride Clubhouse
President Faith Hensrud speaks to attendees of the clubhouse grand opening
Jeffrey Francis McBride, also known as “Bird” was born on July 1, 1987 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He passed away suddenly on January 14, 2012 at the age of 24.
Jeff is survived by his parents, Gary and Ruth McBride and older siblings, sister Angie and brother Sean. He grew up in Oakdale, Minnesota. Jeff played youth hockey, starting at age 7. Against his Dad’s advice, Jeff wanted to be a goalie. We know who won that decision.
He attended and graduated from Tartan Sr. High School in Oakdale, where he was on the high school golf team, soccer team and hockey team. One of his highlights in high school was playing in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament with his high school team. He also was a member of the National Honor Society.
Looking toward high school graduation in 2005, a few of Jeff’s friends were going to attend Bemidji State University. After visiting BSU, Jeff decided to join them. It was one of the best decisions of his life.
Jeff played for several years on the BSU golf team and played goalie on the club hockey team. He was also a diehard Beavers hockey fan! One of his favorite memories was going to the Frozen Four with his friends to Washington D.C. to support his favorite hockey team!
Jeff loved Bemidji and met so many wonderful and lifelong friends while attending BSU.
He had a love of hunting, fishing, hockey and golf. Bemidji was the perfect place to enjoy all these hobbies.
Jeff remained in Bemidji for a year after graduating from Bemidji State in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sports Management and Business. He decided to finally move back home in July of last year and was working at 3M Company at the time of his passing.
He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends.
A Jeff “Bird” McBride Memorial Scholarship has been set up for hockey and golf at BSU in Jeffrey’s honor, starting in the year 2013.
The BSU golf teams' indoor practice center, which includes a state-of-the-art simulator and putting green, was named in honor of Jeff at a ceremony and reception in November 2019.