Hall of Fame
ROBERT "BOBBY" RECKER - Football - 1949-1953
Robert C. Recker was born in Toledo, Ohio. He born and raised in his hometown. He attended and graduated Central Catholic High School in 1949. After high school, he attended UD and played football for four years (1949-1953). He was a halfback for the Flyers squad; he was 5’8’’ and 153 pounds and wore number 95 on his jersey as well as participated in the Monogram Club and the Student senate. He was described as small halfback, but yet he proved himself as an outstanding player. “You can’t take that away from the kid. He’s small back with a small college but he has an All American heart.” That is the high regard held for little Bobby (Ramblin’) Recker, by his teammates, fans, and foes.
One of Bobby’s high point in his career was in 1951, in the Glass Bowl. The Flyer squad was down to the T.U. Rockets, the game seemed to be over, but thanks to two sophomore’s best performance of the season, things turned around. Bobby Recker and Phil Collins lead the Flyers down 70 yards to eventually score the go ahead score. However, even with Bobby and Collins carrying them down the field, the Flyers lost 14-13, however the great performance of these two sophomores was still evident. Bobby Recker went on to graduate the University of Dayton in 1953 with an education major, but not before leaving his mark. He rushed for 1,161 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in his UD football career. He was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1952 Flyers squad and was inducted into the UD’s Hall of Fame in 1971.
After leaving the University of Dayton, Recker served two years in the U.S. Army. After he completed his two years with the army, he became a teacher as well as the first football coach at St. Frances de Sales High School in Toledo. He left teaching and coaching in 1960. He wanted to explore the business world and launched himself in the side of business. He got married to Gloria Recker and they have three children, Gary, Kathy, and Rob Recker. His children gave him 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Sadly, Bobby Recker passed away in 2003 at the age of 71. He was preceded in death by his wife and his sister. However, even after his death Recker is still remembered. He was inducted into four Hall of Fames due to his outstanding playing and coaching football career: University of Dayton’s Hall of Fame in 1971, Central Catholic Hall of Fame, St. Francis de Sales Hall of Fame, and The City of Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame.
