To the thousands of physical education majors who have passed through the SUNY Cortland halls during the past three decades, Dr. Robert Weber has been an influential figure. From his arrival on campus in 1952 to his retirement in 1985, "Doc" Weber taught, coached and guided a generation of Cortland graduates as a professor, coach, athletic director and department chairman. Even in retirement, he returned to campus helping with football game supervision.
Weber was a member of the C-Club Executive Committee since its inception in 1969. Born in Muscatine, Iowa, Weber matriculated to the University of Iowa in 1941. He interrupted his collegiate education with a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of First Lieutenant while serving as 7th Army Regimental Athletic Director. Back at the University of Iowa, Weber started at center and linebacker for the Hawkeye football squad. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1947, his master's degree in 1950, and his doctoral degree in 1952 - all from the University of Iowa.
From 1947 to 1952, Weber taught and coached at Washington (Iowa) High and University High in Iowa City. In the autumn of 1952, Weber arrived at Cortland. Over the next 33 years, he served in a variety of capacities. He coached the Red Dragon football linemen for 13 seasons. He was director of athletics for 12 years and chairman of the Men's Physical Education Department for 15 years - two more years as chair of both the men's and women's departments.
Weber has served on numerous college-wide committees whose scope has encompassed the full range of campus activities. A member of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER), Weber also served on numerous national committees and chaired its Division of Men's Athletics. A past president of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Weber received the organization's service award in 1974. President of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) on two different occasions, Weber received the league's first Distinguished Service Award.
In the community, Weber participated on the Cortland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was a Cub Master for Scout Pack #94, president of the Campus School P.T.A., a deacon and elder for the First Presbyterian Church, board member of the American Cancer Society, and a member of the YMCA Boy's Work Committee. He was a school board consultant in the planning of physical education facilities in Whitney Point, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, and Delmar School Districts.
UPDATE: Doc passed away October, 2000.
