Robert Stone - 1997 Athlete

Robert Stone, better known as Bud to friends, is the only Anderson University athlete to have lettered in four sports during the same school year. In 1959-60, he won major awards in football, basketball, baseball and golf, although he never played the latter sport before college.

Stone was named an All-American in football in 1958 and 1959 and was a three-time All-Conference selection (1957-59). He was also a two-time team captain and held the career scoring record in football for 30 years. During his four seasons, AU was 31-5 on the field.

He still holds the school record for average yards per rush in a season (7.64 in 1958) and career (6.86 ypc). He also ranks fourth on the career list in rushing yards per game (78.3) and has the second longest punt with a 74-yarder against Franklin in 1959.

He was the No. 1 pitcher on the AU baseball team for two seasons, highlighted by a 1959 doubleheader in which he pitched all 14 innings in earning victories in both games. He was named team MVP and All-Conference in both the 1959 and 1960 seasons.

Stone was also team captain of the basketball team, where he earned four letters. After college he played on the Marathon Oil Company traveling basketball team for eight years as player, coach and leading scorer. In 1968, he played basketball in Taiwan as a member of the Overseas Crusades missionary team.

For 25 years, Stone officiated both football and basketball at the high school and college level, including playoff and championship contests.

At the community level, Stone has been a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, holding its high Silver Beaver Award. He also belonged to the YMCA, was a Little League volunteer, member of the Y's Men's Club and a member of the East Foulk Avenue Church of God in Findlay, Ohio.

Anderson University is proud to name Robert R. Stone among its first inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame.