Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Swimming and Diving Endowment Named in Honor of Bob Latour
11/25/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Nov. 25, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - As Bucknell University dedicated its new Olympic-size pool this past weekend, the university also honored its first swimming coach and former athletic director.
Bucknell trustee William D. Dearstyne Jr., a member of the Class of 1962, has established the Robert A. Latour Varsity Swimming and Diving Endowment. Dearstyne's significant gift to the university will permanently endow the head coaching position for swimming and diving, along with providing funds for the program.
"Bob was a great teacher, coach and leader," said Dearstyne, a star swimmer for Bucknell in the early '60s and eventual inductee into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame. "For what he has done for me and all the lives he has touched, I am proud to honor him. This is a fitting tribute to his unique place in Bucknell history."
"Bill Dearstyne's generous gift to establish the Latour Endowment provides a huge boost to Bucknell's swimming and diving programs," said John Hardt, Bucknell's director of recreation and athletics. "Bill's support combines with the new natatorium facility to allow these programs to continue our long-standing championship tradition and will allow future generations of Bison scholar-athletes to compete at the highest competitive levels."
Friday evening's announcement of the endowment came as a complete surprise to Latour, who was on campus for the dedication of the Arthur D. Kinney Jr. Natatorium.
"I am very touched," said Latour, who resides in Wilbraham, Mass. "This is very kind and wonderful."
Latour came to Bucknell in 1956, the same year that the Freas-Rooke Pool was erected. In 12 years, he led his swim teams to an overall 83-31 record in dual meets and six Middle Atlantic Conference championships. His 1964 squad won the inaugural NCAA college division championship, still the only NCAA title held by Bucknell.
From 1968 to his retirement 10 years later, Latour served as Bucknell's athletic director as the university gained national stature with increased men's and women's athletic programs. He also served on several important administrative committees for the NCAA. 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.
"Whether coaching from the pool deck or leading the department as athletics director, Bob Latour has had a substantial role in forging the success of Bucknell's swimming and diving program," said Hardt. "It is wonderful that this endowment be named in his honor."
Dearstyne, company group chairman of Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., and a member of Bucknell's Board of Trustees since 1991, was considered one of the finest swimmers in the history of the former Middle Atlantic Conference, winning six MAC titles in record-breaking times in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke. A two-time co-captain who was undefeated in 30 consecutive 200-yard backstroke races, he also was a member of two Bucknell 400-yard medley relay teams that set records while winning MAC crowns. As a sophomore, Dearstyne was the Eastern Intercollegiate 100-yard backstroke champion. In 1962, he was named the outstanding athlete in Bucknell's senior class.
"Bill Dearstyne's continued love and support of Bucknell demonstrate the loyalty and commitment that make the Bison athletics experience so special to our varsity alums," said Hardt, "and now Bill is able to give back to the programs that provided so much to him during his days as a Bison scholar-athlete and beyond."
