Norwich University

Robert B. Priestley becomes the first non-Norwich graduate to enter its Athletic Hall of Fame. Bob graduated from Brown University ('42) where he was an ice hockey and football star and is a member of the school's Football Hall of Fame. He was All-New England and an All-American honorable mention in football and played professionally for the Philadephia Eagles. Bob also played professional hockey for the Boston Olympics of the Eastern League. Bob coached football in the United States Army and was an infantry officer in the 90th Division, earning six Battle Stars. At Norwich, Bob coached five sports and served as Director of Athletics (15 years). In addition to coaching in baseball and track, Caoch Priestley spent 20 years coaching golf, 15 years on the football staff (10 as head coach), and 28 years as head coach of ice hockey, amassing an incredible 288 wins on the ice, a leading figure nationally. Bob served has President of the American Hockey Coaches Association, the ECAC Hockey Association, the New England Intercollegiate Football Association, and the New England Athletic Conference. Bob served on the Hockey Rules Committee and the Olympic Hockey Selection Committee. He was honored as Hockey Coach of the Year in 1952 and 1965. In 1980, he received the coveted Schaeffer Pen Award for outstanding contributions to intercollegiate ice hockey.