Robert Macholtz- 1998 Athlete/Coach

Bob Macholtz, caring friend and mentor of countless Raven athletes and staunch supporter of Anderson University from student days, was one of the most popular Raven coaches.

It was under his leadership that Anderson’s 1960-61 “Dream Team” became the second from campus to appear in the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., where they lost to eventual national champion Grambling in the semifinal round 62-54. That team finished with a school record 24 wins with only six defeats.

During his 20 years in the athletic department, Macholtz spent 14 as basketball coach (226-146) and two as baseball coach (14-14), along with service as Athletic Director. He and his brother, Jim, AC’s immortal football figure, formed a strong duo in their playing days and later at Anderson University that won’t soon be forgotten.

A four-year letterman in baseball, Macholtz was encouraged to join the St. Louis Cardinals organization, initially with the California State League. During his days as a junior at Anderson, he married Dorothy Whalen. Macholtz was among several veterans of World War II (he had been a Navy Air Corps fighter pilot) that continued their education after the war.

Primarily a pitcher with the Ravens, Macholtz also led the team in hitting in two seasons. He played some varsity basketball and returned to his home state of Michigan after graduation to coach basketball teams at Stevensville for four years.

As a student, he and Jim collaborated as columnists for church periodicals and Bob wrote a sports column “The Raven Roost” for the Andersonian. Civically, he was active in the Downtown Coaches Club and Anderson Noon Lions Club.

Before retiring in Holmes Beach, Fla., Macholtz was on the faculty and a guidance counselor at Bayshore High School in Bradenton, Fla., for four years. He also spent eight years teaching in the night program of Bradenton’s Adult High School Vocational Technical Center. He won a Master of Science degree at the University of Michigan and a Physical Education Director’s degree from Indiana University.

Anderson University is proud to name Robert Warren Macholtz among its second class of inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame.