In Memory of Bob Kauffman '68...

Kauffman speaking at the retirementof his jersey in 2009.
Photo: Greensboro News & Record

Guilford legend Robert "Bob" Kauffman '68, passed away peacefully in his sleep July 27, 2015, in Lilburn, Georgia at age 69.  He was, without a doubt, one of the most decorated and celebrated ballers in Guilford College history, earning induction into the Guilford College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1973, and having his number (44) retired to the rafters of Ragan-Brown Field House in 2009.

Kauffman, a 6'8", 240 lb. native of Scarsdale, New York, was heavily recruited by many larger colleges, yet chose smaller Guilford, and was a key center for most of his college career (1964-1968) under Coach Jerry Steele (who was several times the NAIA and Carolinas Conference Coach of the Year).  By his senior year, Kauffman was named to numerous All-American squads, racking up an average of 22.7 points and 15.9 rebounds per game. He tallied a total of 2,570 points and 1,801 rebounds in his 113 game college career.

"Back off, Kareem..."

A third round draft pick for Seattle in 1968, he centered the SuperSonics for a year, followed by a year with the Chicago Bulls.  His longest, and by all accounts most beloved tenure, was with the Buffalo Braves, a 1970 expansion team in the NBA, playing power forward and center. As a three time All-Star for the Braves, he had an overall career average of 11.5 points,
7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Kauffman's physical, scrappy style of play made him an instant fan favorite in Buffalo, with daughter Lara commenting,

“What people remembered about my dad was he played very blue-collar.  I think he was sort of a reflection of a lot of people in the Buffalo community the way he played.  He wouldn’t back down from anybody.  He played against Lew Alcindor [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar] at the time.  He matched up against Wilt Chamberlain.   My dad would go head-to-head with those guys.
  

Despite being a tough guy on the court, he was known as a "gentle giant" on campus. Very much the BMOC (Big Man on Campus), Kauffman was admired not only for his athleticism, but for his kindness and humility.

Bob was a great college basketball player, but what set him apart at Guilford was his genuine affinity for his fellow students, be they athletes or non-athletes.  I was a scrub on the basketball team Bob's sophomore year and my lack of ability to compete at that level didn't keep Bob from treating me like I was a star.

I only saw him three times after he graduated (except on TV), most recently at Guilford when his jersey was retired (I was there because my sister's jersey was being retired as well).  Each time when we sat down and talked, it was if we were leaving practice and headed to the dining hall.  He was truly a special person.

- Edgar and Sallye Parker '69

Back at Guilford, there wasn’t a bigger man on campus than Bob, yet he was sweet and friendly with everybody.

- Doc Searls '69

As a player, Kauffman paved the way for Guilford's becoming a national powerhouse program, winning 86 games during his four seasons at the College and three straight trips the the NAIA (National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics) Tournament in Kansas City.

Several players from our NAIA Championship team recognized Kauffman as a major influence who inspired their quest for national prominence.

I received my last E-mail from Bob on Friday and last saw Bob at the passing of Jack Jensen a few years ago.  As a member or the 1973 National Championship team at Guilford College, I know what Bob and Judy Kaufman meant to the entire Guilford College Community.  At Coach Jensen's funeral I remember telling Bob that M.L. Carr and Teddy East were my teammates but Bob Kaufman was always my HERO.

- Niel Welborn '75

"Our hearts and prayers go out to Bob's immediate family as well as to his greater Guilford family.  Bob meant a lot to Guilford College and especially to all of us who played in the Cracker Box after him.  He, Jerry Steele and his teammates set high standards for Guilford basketball.  It was they who inspired us, the 1970 fourth place Quakers and the 1973 National Champs to go for the proverbial "brass ring."  Every time Bob's name was called as a starter for the Buffalo Braves, it made us proud.  He will forever be remembered for his contributions to Guilford College.  He will be solely missed by all of us who got to know him.  With a very heavy heart, we send our love and best wishes to Judy and the family."

- Former Guilford and NBA standout M.L. Carr '73

Source: NBA.com

Kauffman would play four years with the Braves and a year with the Atlanta Hawks before nagging hip ailments forced him into permanent retirement as a player in 1975.  He would go on to be an assistant GM for the Hawks for two years before being tapped to lead the Detroit Pistons as GM in 1977, ending his career as head coach of Detroit in 1978.

Kauffman was a respected member of his suburban Atlanta community, a loving, supportive husband and father to his four daughters, who would all go on to be college basketball superstars in their own right.  He enjoyed cooking, attending his daughter's games, cheering on local high school basketball teams, being an active Guilford alumni, and assisting his wife in her business ventures.  He will be sorely missed and the Guilford community will hold them in the light.





* Props to the following for excerpts: 
   Guilford College Athletics, The Greensboro News & Record, Doc Searls, NBA.com

* Photos not credited are in the public domain

Thanks,"Rock" Maynard...

Guilfordians recently lost an icon of the college, Stuart "Rock" Maynard. This history blog wouldn't be worth its salt if I didn't include the story of his loyalty, service and dedication to Guilford and his influence on generations of Guilfordians. His story and the eulogy from the Guilford website, below.

Stuart “Rock” Maynard ’43, head baseball coach at Guilford College from 1952-84 and mentor to countless students, died Wednesday at his Greensboro home. He was 94.  A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. April 13 at New Garden Friends Meeting. Those who knew Stuart are invited to share memories on the Guilford College Facebook page.

Stuart served his alma mater for 33 years in a number of roles, including athletics director, director of physical education and head football coach. His teams enjoyed success on the field, but he was best known for his caring leadership.

Stuart became a mentor to Gary York ’65, then a first-year Guilford student and member of the football team, in 1961. Homesick and afraid of failure, Gary considered quitting college. After hearing words of encouragement from Stuart, however, he unpacked his suitcase.

“Coach changed my life – possibly saved it,” Gary, a former trustee, said last year. “He’s my role model and hero.”

Stuart also made a permanent impression on Randy Doss ’82, who played baseball. “The man so many of us referred to as ‘The Rock’ was a teacher, coach, mentor and friend for generations of Guilford students,” Randy said.

Born April 12, 1918, Stuart was raised in Harnett County, N.C., where he grew up on a farm in the midst of the Great Depression. His education was interrupted as he worked with his siblings in an unsuccessful effort to save the family farm.

The Maynards moved to Dunn, N.C., where Stuart and the other children returned to school. His high school football coach recommended he continue his education and playing career at Guilford, so he boarded a train for Greensboro in 1940 with $2.75 in his pocket and a note from Quakers’ football coach Block Smith, a man he had never met.

The note said Block would help Stuart get through his first semester and what time to meet him at the train station. Stuart signed an IOU for his second semester and worked throughout the year to earn his tuition. He continued this practice until he graduated debt free in 1943.

In addition to working on campus and making good grades, he excelled on the baseball and football fields. He captained both teams in 1942 and was named the school’s Best Senior Athlete. After graduation he married his college sweetheart, Ruth Weisgerber ’43, and served two years as a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, where he earned his famous nickname. Stuart started coaching at Williamston (N.C.) High School in 1947 and took the football team to the 1950 1A state title.

The following year, he accepted President Clyde Milner’s invitation to return to his alma mater as athletics director, director of physical education, head football coach and head baseball coach.

Herb Appenzeller arrived in 1956 as head football coach and athletic director, but Stuart stayed on the football staff as one of Herb’s assistants for six years. He remained the director of physical education for 21 years and maintained a full teaching load, earning his master’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill largely by taking summer classes.

His baseball teams enjoyed unprecedented success in the 1960s, which resulted in numerous team and personal awards. He was named the NAIA National Baseball Coach of the Year after guiding the 1966 Quakers to 25 wins and the school’s first NAIA Baseball World Series berth. He earned the Carolinas Conference Coach of the Year Award a year later and won four District 26 Coach of the Year prizes in his career. Guilford returned to the NAIA World Series in 1976, which led to his receipt of the Professional Baseball Scouting Association’s Coach of the Year Award.

A member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, Stuart was inducted to the Guilford College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970 and the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. He coached 11 Guilford students who signed professional baseball contracts and three All-Americans. The baseball team was 436-394-4 in his 33-year tenure, which ended with his retirement in 1984. He holds Guilford records for most baseball coaching wins and years of service.

Baseball players greet Stuart and Ruth at the Maynard Batting Center dedication in 2010.

He received the 2006 Charles C. Hendricks Distinguished Service Award from Guilford’s Alumni Association, which also presented him with its Alumni Excellence Award in 1982. Guilford dedicated the Maynard Batting Center on campus in April 2010 and installed “Rock’s Rock” nearby to honor the coaching great. Students honor the former coach and teacher when they touch the rock upon entering and exiting the Armfield Athletic Center.




Stuart is survived by his wife of 69 years and the couple’s five children: Marcella “Molly” Maynard, Stuart Tyrus “Rusty” Maynard, Jr. ’68, (wife Karen), William R. “Bill” Maynard, Linda L. Maynard, and Andrew Thomas Maynard ’82 (wife Amy). Other survivors include his grandson, Stuart Tyrus Maynard, son of William, and brother, Lonnie Maynard, Jr., of Dunn, N.C., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In place of flowers, the family requests contributions to a favorite charity; Guilford College, 5800 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 27410; or New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27410.

Maynard's Rock, located between 
the football and baseball fields. 
Players often touch the rock to honor Maynard before and after games. 
Photo from personal collection.

Thanks for being such a great friend
to the college, Rock...we'll miss you.

(*Most pics courtesy of Guilford College.)