Bob Whaley (1981) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Bob Whaley

Induction:
1981
Class:
1963

1956-60
Basketball
‘63
Bob Whaley was what some people refer to as a “late bloomer.” Whaley didn’t play basketball in high school, but developed into an excellent player while in the service. After graduating from Akron East, Whaley enlisted in the USA Air Force where he played first at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and then at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus. It was at Lockbourne that the 5-11 cager earned All-Air Force honors after the 1953-54 season. After his enlistment was up and upon the recommendation of UA’s all-time high scorer, Mike Harkins, Whaley enrolled at Akon. He became a regular immediately and played in every game for four seasons as the Zips captured 76 of the 99 games played. As a sophomore, the left hander who was famous for his driving hook shots off the glass, scored 271 points as the Zips captured the Ohio Conference Championship with a 12-0 record and Whaley earned first-team All-OC honors. It was the first of many such honors. In addition, those 1957-58 UA cagers earned the school’s first post-season NCAA Tournament bid. Although the Zips wound up runner-up to Evansville, Whaley was selected All-Mideast Regional. Whaley’s scoring prowess go better with age. As a junior on a team that put together 21 consecutive victories, the most in UA history, Whaley was the leading scorer with 355 points. Besides having the best record in Ohio, 21-2, the Zips were ranked fifth nationally and Whaley earned first team All-OC again. Serving as team captain of the 1959-60 squad, Whaley helped guide Coach Russ Beichly’s cagers to a 17-8 record and second place in the OC for the second straight year, His 351 points, including a career high of 38 versus Capital, gave him 1217 for his career—good enough to rank him fifth on the all-time scorers list behind previous Hall of Famers, Mike Harkins (1425), Jim “Red” Fenton (1319), Fritz Nagy (1258) and Fred Golding (1229). Besides earning first team All-OC honors for the third consecutive year, Whaley was named honorable mention All-American by the UPI. Later Whaley was a member of the Cleveland Pipers that captured the 1960-61 National AAU Championship. After graduating from Akron, he taught 13 years at Ravenna High School and coached both boys and girls basketball. Currently Whaley is co-owner of the Oakwood Bar & Grill in Cuyahoga Falls. He and his wife, Kathleen, have five children, David, Lynne, Wendy, Diane and Bucky. The Whaley’s reside in Ravenna.