To the Williams Community,
I am sad to report the death this weekend at the age of 90 of former Head Football Coach Bob Odell.
A two-way star at Penn, Bob came second in the Heisman Trophy voting for 1943 and was eventually inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
After his service in the U.S. Navy, an injury foreclosed his professional playing career and set him in the direction of coaching, where he flourished.
After a string of assistant positions and the head coaching job at his alma mater, Bob came to Williams where he led an immediate turnaround. In 16 seasons his teams won ten Little Three titles, after which the New England Football Writers Association granted him the George C. Carens Award for outstanding contributions to New England football.
A garrulous character, Bob had a large presence on campus and with alumni groups, and he maintained lifelong relationships with many of his players. He also was a strong mentor to his successor, Dick Farley.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 12, at 11 a.m. at the Alleva Funeral Home, 1724 E. Lancaster Ave., in Paoli, Pa.
Regards,
Adam Falk
President