Today in Wheeling History: January 31—Bob Thalman, a notable football coach from Wheeling, West Virginia, best known for transforming the Virginia Military Institute's football program, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia (2012).
Robert Joseph "Bob" Thalman was born on November 5, 1922, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He attended Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, graduating in 1940. Thalman began his higher education at Belmont Abbey Junior College in 1942 but soon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served as a sergeant in the Fifth Division, fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most intense battles in the Pacific campaign. For his service, he received the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, Thalman continued his education at the University of Richmond, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1948. His coaching career began at Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia, followed by Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia. Thalman then moved to college coaching, starting at Hampden-Sydney College, where he served as head coach and Athletic Director, winning two Mason-Dixon conference titles. He later joined the University of North Carolina and Georgia Tech as a defensive coach before becoming the head coach at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1971. Over 14 years at VMI, he transformed the football program, winning two Southern Conference titles. Thalman passed away on January 31, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 89. He is remembered for his positive coaching philosophy and significant contributions to college football. He is buried in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4wr7mexv), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/43tubvnk), The News-Gazette (https://tinyurl.com/5a5vzdrr), Newspapers.com (https://tinyurl.com/24ekka2w)
Photo credits: Kaleidoscope 1960, Hampden-Sydney yearbook; Find a Grave
Robert Joseph "Bob" Thalman was born on November 5, 1922, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He attended Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, graduating in 1940. Thalman began his higher education at Belmont Abbey Junior College in 1942 but soon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served as a sergeant in the Fifth Division, fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most intense battles in the Pacific campaign. For his service, he received the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, Thalman continued his education at the University of Richmond, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1948. His coaching career began at Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia, followed by Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia. Thalman then moved to college coaching, starting at Hampden-Sydney College, where he served as head coach and Athletic Director, winning two Mason-Dixon conference titles. He later joined the University of North Carolina and Georgia Tech as a defensive coach before becoming the head coach at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1971. Over 14 years at VMI, he transformed the football program, winning two Southern Conference titles. Thalman passed away on January 31, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 89. He is remembered for his positive coaching philosophy and significant contributions to college football. He is buried in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4wr7mexv), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/43tubvnk), The News-Gazette (https://tinyurl.com/5a5vzdrr), Newspapers.com (https://tinyurl.com/24ekka2w)
Photo credits: Kaleidoscope 1960, Hampden-Sydney yearbook; Find a Grave
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