Hall of Fame

2023_Latour_HOF

Robert Latour

  • Class
  • Induction
    2023
  • Sport(s)
    Director of Athletics, Swimming Coach
ROBERT LATOUR, Bucknell University
Head Swimming & Diving Coach; Director of Athletics; MAC University Division President – 1956-90

Bucknell's swimming coach from the inception of the program in 1956 until 1968 and director of athletics from 1968-78, Bob Latour is one of the all-time greats in Bison annals. He led his swimming teams to six Middle Atlantic Conference championships (1960, 1963-65, 1967-68) and the 1964 NCAA College Division title. Sixteen of his swimmers were selected to the College Division All-America Team, and his dual meet record was 83-31.

From 1968-78, Latour served as Bucknell's athletic director as the university gained national stature with increased men's and women's athletic programs. Under his watch, Bison teams won more conference championships than any other school, four sports were added to the intercollegiate program, and a $4 million sports/recreation center was constructed. Latour was also a freshman football coach from 1956-65 and was chairman of the NCAA Division II Football Committee. He also served on several important administrative committees for the NCAA, including serving as chairman of the Division II Football Committee and as member of the NCAA Television Committee.

Latour was president of the Middle Atlantic Conference and East Coast Conference, plus served as a member of the executive committee of the Eastern College Basketball Association.

A native of Middletown, N.Y., and a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and Springfield College, Latour also served as a professor of physical education and was Bucknell's NCAA Faculty Representative.

Latour was inducted into the Bucknell University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985.