150 Years of College Football: Bob Simpson

The 2019 football season is the 150^th anniversary of college football. Here at MiamiRedHawks.com, we will honor some of the all-time greats to play for Miami University as well as those that have made an impact on the field since their graduation. We caught up with Bob Simpson to hear about the memories he made while wearing the Red and White.

I know it's a bit of a broad question, but how would you explain your time at Miami?

"The time spent at Miami earning my degree was memorable in many ways including meeting my now wife of 35 years and the friendships, especially the friendships with my teammates. I would also like to add that my wife and I still visit campus often and participate on Academic Advisory teams and often watch several MU athletic games every year."

How did Miami help you to prepare for life outside of football?
"There is the standard answer any athlete will give such as how to deal with people, how to set goals and so on, but Miami is not just any school. Our standards are higher than most others and that means MU prepares us to except nothing but excellence. Not to sell ourselves short. Being best and always being the best means someone is always chasing you. We must always stay ahead of the competition."

What was your favorite moment on the playing field at Miami and why?
"My favorite is when we beat UC our senior year. I recovered a fumble and the next play we scored a touchdown to win the game 7-3. So I am glad we won but also we beat UC. Beating North Carolina my freshman year is a close second favorite. UNC was coached by Dick Crum who recruited us and then left."

What advice would you give a student-athlete at Miami to help them achieve their goals?
"To use the great support system at Miami. Whether the need is for something related to academics or related to their sport, there are great people there to support you. Be brave and ask for help. Above all else, MU cares for you as a person first."

Did you have a favorite teammate in your time at Miami? What made him special?
"There are many lifelong friends we have because of our time at Miami. I am still close to about a dozen teammates. We recently lost a teammate and friend so that hurts but this brings us closer and closer. Trey and Mindy Busch are close with us. Trey was a teammate and we roomed together. Trey is very humble. A great husband and father. When we are together, there are a lot of laughs."

What was your favorite place to eat in Oxford?
"Baskin Robbins was a favorite."

Funniest moment in your time at Miami?
"Not able to publish the funniest event but there are many. For the record, walking from Withrow Court to the football field on Saturday home games was a great experience. Your friends would be there on both sides of the temporary tunnel wishing you the best and encouraging us to win. Our friends would then sit behind the visiting team where throughout the game chant some very thoughtful, encouraging words to the visitors. Saturday at Miami Field was always a great time and fun."

Was there someone, maybe a professor or advisor that had a major impact on your time at Miami?
"Errol Gundler. Great man and teacher. He helped several football players over the years by allowing us to use the engineering facility on Sundays after games."

Is there anything else you would like us (or others) to know about you?

"Andrea and I will have five grandchildren when this is published. We cherish our memories of our time at Miami and look forward to making many more memories with our expanding family."

What makes Miami so special?
"Miami is unique to us because of the people we have met during our time while students and later as active alumni. The people who were/are our teachers, coaches, mentors, teammates and friends have enriched our lives and helped us to lead lives that are purposeful, productive and honorable. We feel blessed that we were lucky enough to have chosen Miami and Miami will always have a special place in our hearts."

Miami Ohio University Athletics

150 Years of College Football: Bob Simpson

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