Educator, coach, and administrator: Bob Cawley, of Springfield, Ohio, served Urbana University in these different roles during his 32 years at the University. At one point, Bob was the athletic director, baseball and basketball coach, and the Grimes Center manager all in the same year. He was the men's soccer coach for one year, the baseball coach for 10 years and assistant basketball coach during his first year at Urbana University. Then he spent the next 12 years as the men's head basketball coach, as well as serving as the athletic director.

Cawley had the privilege of coaching the first Blue Knight basketball team to qualify for the NAIA playoffs, after winning the conference championship in 1980- 81. His teams enjoyed success despite playing nationally ranked competition. He had the honor, as athletic director, of overseeing the establishment of the modern era of Blue Knight football in 1986.

Cawley was chair of the Health and Physical Education Department for 20 years, developing programs in recreation, sports management, exercise and fitness, and athletic training. He served as a faculty member for 32 years, attaining rank of Associate Professor of HPER. Cawley has taught and coached thousands of students, his influence in his field unmatched at Urbana.

Bob earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education and biological sciences from The Ohio State University in 1963, where he played lacrosse for four years and was named team captain and Outstanding Player his senior year. Bob then went on to earn his Master of Education degree from Xavier University.

Bob began his long and illustrious career coaching basketball at Norton Junior High School; and then coached the Franklin Heights High School basketball team for seven years before embarking on his 32-year career at Urbana University. Bob also coached men's basketball at Wittenberg University for 15 seasons, and when it's all added up he coached for 38 years. Over those years he coached several players to All-Conference and All-District honors. In addition, he has been a strong supporter of the Blue Knight athletic department over the years. When he started at Urbana in 1973 there were only 400 students enrolled, which since has grown to 1,500. He's also seen the construction of three more buildings on campus. He was here to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the school in 1975 and the Sesquicentennial in 2000. 

Bob saw his daughters graduate from Urbana and from his alma mater Ohio State, which he describes as his proudest moments. Bob is married to his wife of 44 years, Betty. They have two children: Jill and Julie; and four grandchildren. Urbana University is pleased to induct Robert Cawley in the 12th class as the 24th member of the Blue Knight Hall of Fame.