Robert F. Busbey, former Athletic Director, Vice-President and Head Swimming Coach at Cleveland State University from 1951-1994 died on Thursday March 10, 2000 after a long illness. Busbey impacted the University’s sports program as only a special few men have at any collegiate institution. He served a head swim coach at his alma mater for 30 years and also coached track and golf.
During his coaching tenure he was named the 1964 USA Assistant Swim Coach for the Olympic Team, served as chairman of the NCAA Swimming Committee and was responsible for bringing five NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships to CSU. He was editor of the NCAA rules book over 12 years. He received the 1982 National Collegiate & Scholastic Swimming Trophy, one of the sports highest awards. Unanimously voted a charter member of the Cleveland State Athletic Hall of Fame, he devoted 49 years of his life to the school he attended and worked. Bob Busbey was an accomplished artist, musician and five-time national diving champion. In October, CSU’s world class aquatic facility was named The Robert F. Busbey Natatorium. Over $350,000 has been raised for scholarships in his name at his alma mater.