WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (June 30, 2014)—The William and Mary football family recently lost one of its greatest players and most ardent supporters when Bob Soleau ('64) passed away last week.

Selected as an All-American twice, Soleau was honored as the 1962 Southern Conference Player of the Year. Additionally, he earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 1962 and 1963 after establishing himself as one of the nation's top offensive linemen. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native served as the team captain in 1963.

Following his collegiate career, he was invited to play in the 1964 North-South Shrine Game before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Bob was not just a leader as a captain on the football field – he was always a leader in everything he did as a player, student and fraternity bother,” said Bill Corley, a former teammate at both W&M and North Hills High School (Pittsburgh, Pa.). “He was a great man who was respected by all who he came in contact with.”

In addition to his outstanding career as a player, Soleau was one of the Tribe football program's most passionate supporters and donated funds that established a fully endowed scholarship.