Bob Spaley - Athletic Alumni 2011

Bob Spaly graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1961.  He was a member of the football, wrestling, and track and field teams, earning eight Varsity Letters in three years.  Bob was the Michigan High School State Wrestling Champion in the 180 pound class in 1961.  After high school, Bob wrestled for the University of Michigan from 1961 to 1965 where he received wrestling All-American honors for three years.  Bob placed 5^th, 3^rd, and 3^rd in the NCAA National Wrestling Championship Tournament in 1963, 1964, and 1965, respectively.  Bob won the 191 pound Regional Olympic Tryouts in 1964.  In Bob’s three years wrestling for Michigan, the team won three Big Ten Championships and placed in the top ten nationally three times.  Bob credits Pioneer athletics with taking him “from a timid, gangly, awkward sophomore to a confident athlete and individual.”  Bob adds, “Even fifty years ago, the Pioneer athletic programs were excellent.”