BALTIMORE, MD – Bob Scott won 158 games and seven national championships during a 20-year run as the head coach of the Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse team from 1955-74. He also spent 22 years as the Director of Athletics at Homewood, assembling a coaching staff that accumulated victories that now number in the thousands.

Yet, ask anyone about Bob Scott and victories and championships are the last things they are likely to mention. Rather, they more often talk about Bob Scott the man or mentor.

Below are the thoughts of several of his former players, coaches and colleagues on how Bob Scott impacted them. For some, a quick story of his wit or compassion; for others, the role he played in making them the person they are today. In each, the impact has stood the test of time and sharing this message, thought or anecdote has provided some solace during the difficult time since his passing on September 15.

In Their Own Words - Remembering Bob Scott

When Scotty hired me as a full time head baseball coach and assistant football coach (1982), he said that he had total faith in me to run the baseball program and that he trusted Howie Myers’ opinion that I was a great young football coach.  But, he added, I’m sending you to Columbus, Ohio to sit in on meetings and learn from the Ohio State football staff.  From then on, he never questioned anything about baseball, but would often ask me about why we did various things in football!  He loved to be involved and was so passionate about JHU winning all athletic events!
Bob Babb – Baseball Coach, Johns Hopkins University

During the 1965 lacrosse season, my senior year, coach Scott, looking for an easy win, challenged me to a game of "8 Ball" on the pool table in the newly opened Newton White Athletic Center. He was running the table (killing me) when he scratched on the 8 Ball and lost. At practice that afternoon, true to his word, coach Scott honored our bet and ran a lap as my teammates and I cheered him on. I never thought he actually would run the lap, but he made a commitment and that was it -- one of many lessons he taught me about success in lacrosse and, more important, in life. I was so blessed to be one of his players at Hopkins and his friend for 51 years. He will always be a special part of who I am. Before a game, he always told us to "do your best and let the chips fall where they may." And that is how he led his life. He always gave 100% and had such a positive influence on so many people. He wanted to make a difference and he did. He was the greatest Blue Jay.
Herb Better – Former Johns Hopkins Men’s Lacrosse Player, Current President of Blue Jays Unlimited

Bob Scott was like a father to me. He hired me as Associate Director of Athletics in August of 1988. We worked closely together for seven years and I felt privileged to be his right hand man. During that time, I called him Mr. Scott, then Coach and, finally, after I earned his respect, he let me call him Scotty.

Soon after Scotty announced his retirement, he told me that he was going to push for me to become the next Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins University. If not for his support, I would not have moved into the Athletic Director position that I held for 21 years. I faced several difficult times during my term as AD, but Scotty was always there to defend me and support my decisions, whether they were right or wrong.

When my mother died, Scotty drove up to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania to attend her funeral. He didn’t have to do that and I told him so, but he showed up at the church to support me during a difficult time in my life.

Scotty was always there for me and, for that, I will be forever grateful! I am proud to have known him and I will miss Scotty dearly.
Tom Calder – Former Johns Hopkins Director of Athletics

As a young, somewhat awed sophomore, in the first game of the season, I was facing off, bent over, kicked in the head, and suffered a concussion.  I woke up five hours later and, looking up from the Hopkins Hospital bed, the first person I saw was Scotty.  He had been waiting at my side for hours.  The next morning, awakening in the hospital, the first person I saw at my bedside - Scotty.  After discharge, the next morning at home, again the first person as I awoke - Scotty.  Bob’s treatment of this young sophomore says it all.
David Cordish – Former Johns Hopkins Men’s Lacrosse Player

Bob Scott was, and always will be my idol.  Not only was he the greatest college coach of his era, but he did it on the biggest stage without one day of previous coaching experience on any level.  More importantly, he was an even better husband, father, and friend.  There will never be another "Scotty."
Dick Edell – Former Men’s Lacrosse Coach, University of Baltimore, Army, Maryland

Scotty meant so much to so many of us. He was like a father to me. Bob and Margo were always there for me and my family and had a profound impact on our lives that extended way beyond the athletic fields. I owe my professional career to Bob for the opportunity he gave me to be part of this wonderful Hopkins athletic community 31 years ago.  But he was so much more than an athletic director. He was a mentor and a friend.  Whenever you were in his presence, you felt the substance of his principles and strength of character. He always reminded us that he came from humble beginnings and that many good people helped him along the way.  That's exactly what he did for me.  I will always hold him dear to my heart.
Nancy Funk – Women’s Basketball Coach, Johns Hopkins University

Bob Scott taught us all about life; how to love, how to live, how to lead, and how to relate and connect with others.  He loved people, starting with Margo and his family, and then with his coaches and their families.  He led with his heart, realizing that authenticity, honesty, compassion, firmness, and integrity are the keys to working effectively with his colleagues.  He made it fun to come to work every day as our leader, mentor, and role model. Simply, he cared about us as people first, and his impact on others is his lasting legacy.  Thank you, Coach, for everything you gave to everyone you touched!
George Kennedy – Former Men’s & Women’s Swimming Coach, Johns Hopkins University

Bob Scott will be missed. Not only did I learn to play lacrosse at his famed lacrosse camp, but Bob also recruited me to play lacrosse at Hopkins (at a time when women's recruiting was in its infancy).  He wrote a letter of recommendation when I applied for my first job and, most importantly, he introduced me to my husband, Jim Margraff, when he hired him as the football coach at JHU. Bob has been a constant presence in the Collins and Margraff families; I am deeply saddened by his passing. 
Alice Margraff, Former Johns Hopkins Student-Athlete & Past President of Blue Jays Unlimited

Through his love of family, passion for his work and showing respect and concern for everyone with whom he came in contact, Mr. Scott was an inspiration, and wonderful mentor, for all of us who had the privilege to learn from him at Johns Hopkins. On a personal note, Mr. Scott has had a profound impact on my life as he coached my father-in-law in the late ‘50’s, recruited my wife to JHU and hired me, at the age of 29, as head football coach. It’s hard to find a part of my life – either professional or personal – that doesn’t tie directly to Bob Scott, and for that I will be forever grateful and humbled.
Jim Margraff – Football Coach, Johns Hopkins University

He had a unique way of making every coach at Hopkins feel as if their sport was the most important.  I always remember Scotty as a tough guy.  No, not with his hands (even though he did lose a battle with a refrigerator one time).  He was a “coaches AD” and was willing to fight for his coaching staff tooth and nail to help us succeed.  He was beloved and respected by all that he touched.
Bill Nelson – Men’s Basketball Coach, Johns Hopkins University

The most beloved man I have ever met, coach Scott was many things to many people. Whether it be as a coach, mentor, leader or friend, Bob Scott touched the lives of many.  The impact he has had on Johns Hopkins University, Blue Jay lacrosse, and the lacrosse community both nationally and internationally is immeasurable. While viewed by many as larger than life, coach Scott was the most humble man I have known and possessed the greatest sense of humility. I am deeply saddened by his passing but know he will continue to play an important role in many of our lives. The world is certainly a lesser place without Coach!
Dave Pietramala – Men’s Lacrosse Coach, Johns Hopkins University

Mr. Scott embodied Hopkins Lacrosse and what was expected of those who played for Hopkins.  Play to win, but play with class, play with dignity, and play with humility.  Those of us who played at Hopkins tried, but rarely achieved the class, dignity, and humility with which Mr. Scott carried himself every time I ever met him.  I was privileged to attend Mr. Scott’s retirement dinner 20 plus years ago and was struck by the depth and breadth of Mr. Scott’s effect on people’s lives.  Coaches, administrators, players, and friends, from all over the country, from different schools, and from sports other than lacrosse, spoke of the profound ways that Mr. Scott touched their lives.  Mr. Scott was legendary for remembering names and being unfailingly polite.  He helped countless people in big and small ways and never wanted anyone to know about it.  We lost a great gentleman. 
Larry Quinn – Former Johns Hopkins Men’s Lacrosse Player

Bob Scott was a teacher, a coach, a mentor and a friend.  He practiced what he preached; to maintain a life filled with integrity and kindness. I will miss Scottie, but his words to live by will be with me for the rest of my life.
Jerry Schnydman – Former Johns Hopkins Men’s Lacrosse Player and University Administrator

I guess the first time I ever saw Bob was at his lacrosse camp in the early 1970s.  I don’t remember meeting him because I was 11 or 12 years old and didn’t know any better, but there is no doubt that he welcomed me and every other camper with a strong handshake and a warm smile.  That smile and handshake greeted me about a dozen years later on my first day of work at the Lacrosse Foundation, which was headquartered just across the hall from Bob’s office at the Newton White Athletic Center.  Over the next decade of his tenure as athletic director at Johns Hopkins, and long beyond, I learned how special he was.  Bob Scott led by example, and he was as honorable and selfless a person as I've ever known - within or outside of the sport.  He was a Hall of Fame lacrosse coach, but that didn’t define him...his perspective on the most important things in life was far broader.  I was incredibly fortunate to know Bob but, like so many, I was humbled that he knew and cared about me and my family.  His example of humility, kindness, enthusiasm and perseverance will continue to influence me for the rest of my life.
Steve Stenersen – CEO, US Lacrosse

Though outwardly unassuming, Mr. Scott was a great man in my eyes with many accomplishments beyond wins and losses.  He combined a fierce competitiveness with a gentlemanly and friendly demeanor that brought out the very best in people.   He treated everyone with respect and dignity and his positive approach to life, and more specifically to athletics, was infectious.  He exemplified what it meant to be a student athlete.  When I think of Mr. Scott, I think of character, integrity, competitiveness, genuineness, and optimism.  Great leaders are naturally easy to follow and that was true of Mr. Scott.  I admired him and feel like I am a better person because of him.
Bill Stromberg – Former Johns Hopkins Student-Athlete and Past President of Blue Jays Unlimited

Upon pulling up to the front of the Newton White Athletic Center for the first time in August, 1984 with my wife, Helen, and four children in our 1977 VW Beetle, the first one to greet us was Bob Scott. Helen first handed Bob our baby daughter Brianne (6 months), then she got out of the car. Soon, Bob also took daughter Courtney (2½  years) into his arms, son Trevor jumped out, then Bob grabbed Brendan (4 years) as well.  Three kids who he had never met before being held by one man! He then leaned over, looked in the car, looked at Helen, and asked, “Any more?” The kids and my family loved the man from that day forward.

Later, after being at Princeton a few years, we offered Bob, who had just lost his dog Freddy, one of the golden retriever puppies in our dog’s new litter. He and Margo drove to Princeton to pick up the dog and when asked what he would name it, “Freddy II” after his buddy Fred Smith!
Bill Tierney – Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach, University of Denver

It is hard to put into words the profound influence Bob Scott had on my life. I owe my professional career to him. He was a source of strength, love and motivation for me as a young coach. When he spoke to you - he made you feel as if you were the only person on earth. Bob Scott stood for all that was good in sports - he was a fierce competitor, a perfect gentleman - who knew how to organize, motivate and inspire with tough, but genuine love for his players and his staff. Bob's influence will forever be felt in our women's lacrosse program. I will hold him dear to my heart for the rest of my days.
Janine Tucker – Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach, Johns Hopkins University

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