Bob Vanatta

Bob Vanatta (born July 7, 1918) is a former American head basketball coach for Central Methodist, Southwest Missouri State, Army, Bradley, Memphis State, Missouri, and Delta State University. At Southwest Missouri State, he won the 1952 and 1953 NAIA Championship. At Memphis State, he compiled a 109-34 record, including making it to the 1957 NIT Championship game. After coaching, he later served as athletic director at Oral Roberts University, commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference, commissioner of the Atlantic Sun Conference, executive director of the Independence Bowl, athletic director at Louisiana Tech University, commissioner of the Sunshine State Conference, president of the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner's Association, and associate athletic director at Florida Atlantic University. He is still an active member of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, which presents the Lou Groza Award to the nation's top placekicker.