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great Crispus Attucks although I was never reteams until he decruited, coached or disparted for Purdue to ciplined by Coach Bob, accept a position as I was fortunate enough coach (in 1960). to have benefitted from "When he shared his mentoring. this story with me, I had "Specifically, I am an even greater respect ever grateful to Coach for Coach Bob in that he Bob for two major imdid not let bigots deter pacts in my Purdue cahim from doing what reer. He single-handhe felt was the right edly helped ease the thing to do. As he pointtransition of women's ed out to me, he did not sports, specifically do this for any awards basketball, into the or notoriety and he was Purdue athletics culshocked by the negature. Much like E.F. Purdue Hutton, when Coach tive comments and attitudes of so many of his King (far right) was proud to be part of the coach- Bob spoke it forced ing staff, which included Joe Sexson, Dave Toney peers. It seems Coach and George King, that reached the 1969 Final Four. others to listen and Bob was not only an re-evaluate, so his outstanding person positive endorseand recruiter, but he was also one of this ments of female players like Carol Emanstate's early 'Drum Majors for Justice.'" uel, Joy Holmes and Sharon Versyp were huge with respect to acceptance. And Nancy Cross as critical, in his role as the department's Senior associate athletic director academic advisor, Coach Bob held our "Even at the ripe young age of 92, his male and female student-athletes to the mind was incredibly sharp, he remem- same high academic standards. bered names, dates and scores (and grade "I count my blessing for having point averages) better than any of us, and known and been so positively influhe was current on all the state-wide bas- enced by Coach Bob." ketball talent — men and women. "When I arrived on this campus, Coach Kindness and Inspiration Terry Dischinger Bob was already a legend. I was in awe of Center, 1960-62 him long before any formal introduction. "Bob King is a person I have never Fast forward almost 36 years, and I offer that heard say a bad thing about another hu- of Bob's hand-written, inspirational notes. man being." "I have several of them to this day. And secondly, his words when (my wife) Jane and Billy Keller I left his room on Dec. 28, 2012, will never be Guard, 1966-69 forgotten because I'm sure that he said that to "He was kind of like our father away many who visited him in his later years.'Park ... from home. There was never a time that you know that you guys are family to me.' I went into his office he wouldn't always "There is no doubt in my mind that put his pencil down and talk with me. He this guy, was 'THE SPECIAL BOILERMAKER' always had time for you." that this award was named for. Bruce Parkinson Guard, 1973-77 "I will always remember two very special things about Bob: Nothing was more exciting or appreciated than getting one Joe Barry Carroll Center, 1977-80 "The greatest man I have ever known." GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 19 • 13