Bob Rodibaugh

As cross country coach at Northwestern, Bob Rodibaugh led the Tigers to single class IHSAA team state runner-up finishes in 1970 and 1971 and he was voted Indiana cross country coach of the year in 1971. His teams captured nine Mid-Indiana Conference championships over a 12-year period (1963-74). Rodibaugh’s squads also won the first six Howard County cross country championships ever contested from 1968-73. Rodibaugh was head boys track coach at Northwestern for 10 years (1963-72) winning nine Howard County and four MIC titles.

Before graduating from Pike Township in Marion County in 1947, Rodibaugh turned in  fifth and second place finishes in the mile run at the IHSAA’s state track meet in 1946 and 1947 respectively. 

Rodibaugh then took his running talents to Purdue where he lettered six times in cross country and track. He is one of only two Purdue cross country athletes twice named All-American. Rodibaugh was team captain in 1950. He also lettered three years in track, competing in the mile relay and two-mile run.

Rodibaugh’s college stay was interrupted with a two-year stint in the Army. While a member of the military, Rodibaugh won the 1952 International Army Meet’s 1,500 meter run at Copenhagen that drew entries from eight countries. He took second place at the same distance in the All-Army event at the University of California that same year, completing the course in his best time ever, 3:58.5, which converts to a 4:16 mile run. 

Rodibaugh graduated from Purdue in 1954, then taught and coached 35 years, 29 of those at Northwestern. He retired in 1989 and passed away in 2004. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Wilda, and one son.