Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2022
- Class:
- 1976
Bob arrived for the 1971 season and quickly established himself as a Goalkeeper very capable of superb achievements. For that first year of MAC recognition, Bob was among the leaders for Most Saves in One Season with 140 and Most Saves Per Game average in One Season at 15.5. The latter figure ranks at #10 all-time in the NCAA Division I Players Record Book. For much of that Freshman year, his Goals Against Average was ranked among the OCSA Goalkeeping Leaders in the State and, for weeks, his Saves Percentage of Saves vs. Goals Against also ranked as high as #3 in the State.
In the 1972 season that became the best record in the history of Kent Men’s Soccer, Bob, now a Sophomore, shined by only conceding 14 goals in 10 games which ranked #9 in the OCSA Goalkeeping Leaders in the State. His 1.40 Goals Against Average is #2 in Kent Players Records plus he also set Kent Teams and Players Records of two consecutive Shutouts as well as a then-Kent Record of three Shutouts for the season. Bob also achieved a then-OCSA second-highest ranking for Saves in One Game when he stopped 36 shots on goal by Bowling Green while facing a barrage of 55 shots on Saturday 9/30/72. The Saves total from this game set a Kent Players Record and was also second in OCSA and #3 in NCAA Records. The Shots Faced achievements from this game set Kent, MAC, OCSA and NCAA Records. He was honored as All-MAC First Team and, for Kent Team Awards, was named the Outstanding Defensive Player.
The following year of 1973 when the Kent team was decimated by a depleted roster, Bob, now a Junior, still shined. He exceeded his Kent Players Record for Saves in One Game when he repelled 37 Bowling Green shots on goal among 51 shots on Saturday 9/29/73. These saves also ranked for the OCSA and NCAA Players Record Books at that time at #3 and now at #4. Again, he was recognized as All-MAC with a Second Team spot plus ranked in Kent, MAC, OCSA and NCAA Records. His 17.1 Saves Per Game Average that season is #7 in the NCAA Players Record Book.
In 1974, for what would have been his Senior year, Bob was named a Captain. Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end only three minutes into the first game when he dislocated a shoulder while challenging an opponent’s shot on goal. Bob then was listed as a Red Shirt to retain his NCAA eligibility for another season.
Bob returned in 1975, again as a Captain, and picked-up on his dominant play with a sterling 15.2 Saves Per Game Average. This figure ranks in the NCAA Division 1 Players Record Book at #11. He was named for a third time to the All-MAC team with another Second Team selection. His career totals for Saves with 531 was, at the time, #2 in NCAA history and now ranks at #8 tied. His Saves Per Game Average in a career of 14.8 ranks in the NCAA Division 1 Players Record Book at #2 and other Goalkeeping statistics either lead or rank in Kent, MAC and OCSA Records. Bob’s saves totals vs. Bowling Green in 1972 and 1973 also rank in the NCAA Team Record Book for Most Team Saves in One Game at #6 tied and #5 tied, respectively. His saves totals in 1975 also contributed to NCAA Team Record Book inclusion for Most Team Saves in One Season at #12 tied and Most Team Saves Per Game Average in One Season at #10.
For his four years of play, Bob was awarded four Varsity letters. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Bob attended a professional tryout with the Miami Toros of the North American Soccer League.
Kent Athletics presented their Men’s Soccer All-Decade Teams with an announcement in 2020. For the team of the 1970s, Bob is named as the Goalkeeper in recognition of his terrific performances and leadership displayed throughout his Kent career.
Bob then received the high honor of Kent Athletics Varsity K Hall of Fame induction for the Class of 2022.
(Bio courtesy of Fred Jermyn)
