Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
A 1960 graduate of Heidelberg College, Bob Gilmore was a standout linebacker on the 1959 football team that won the Ohio Conference. Following graduation, he went on to coach and inspire many young men on and off the field.
Born in New Philadelphia, he graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1956 before coming to Heidelberg College to play under coaching legend, Paul "The Fox" Hoernemann.
A four-year starter in football, he played middle linebacker and guard in 1956, guard and linebacker in 1957, center and linebacker in 1958 and linebacker in 1959. Three times he was honored on the All-Ohio Conference all-star squad as a center, guard and linebacker and was voted the Heidelberg Most Valuable Player in 1959 that was Hoernemann's final coaching season and the year of Hoernemann's 100th coaching victory.
During his high school career he played for William Kidd and was a three-year letterwinner in football and track. In 1955 he was selected the Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, co-captain and was honored on the second team All-Ohio at offensive guard.
In March of 1960 he signed with the Boston Patriots before entering the teaching and coaching professions at Canton South High School for the next 24 years. During that period he taught math, science, health and physical education while coaching at the junior high and senior high levels.
As a junior high basketball coach his teams won 74 percent of their games while his senior high football squads had a winning percentage of 62 percent in the Federal League.
His track teams were outstanding as well, winning 68 percent of the time, which included the 1968 Stark County title, the 1969 Federal League crown and the 1970 Tornado Relays championship.
Following retirement from teaching, Gilmore became the superintendent of Friend Medals Company, Inc., which is a Distributor of Aerospace Metals, with locations in Anaheim, California and New Philadelphia.
(This profile appeared in the 1995 Hall of Fame Banquet program. Â Mr. Gilmore passed away in 2011.)
