UWEC Athletics Hall of Fame
Bob Hessler was a member of Blugold conference championship football and basketball teams in the mid-1950s. Hessler attended UWEC from 1954 until 1958 after serving three years with the Marine Corps in the Korean War. During his undergraduate years, Hessler played both football and basketball, but it was in football that he excelled. He averaged 100 yards per game from his fullback position, helping the 1956 Ade Olson-coached team claim a conference championship and forge a 7-1 season record. He held the school single season rushing record of 800 yards until it was broken by both Tim Lewitzke and D. J. LeRoy during the 1978 season when the Blugolds played 10 games. Hessler finished his career with 1,570 yards. Broken rib cartilage curtailed his participation as a senior when he was tabbed team captain. Despite this, he earned All-Conference honors twice and also gained NAIA All-America recognition. Hessler was a two-way performer, also playing middle linebacker. He was a reserve guard on Bill Zorn’s conference champion basketball teams of 1954-55 and 1955-56.
Hessler began his high school teaching and coaching career at Menomonee Falls Senior High. When the schools split in 1969, he went to East High School, the new school. He was the head football coach for nine years, compiling a 37-25-8 record. At the time of his induction, he had been the line coach the previous 14 years. He had also coached JV basketball for 22 years and had been the women's softball coach the past five years, winning two conference championships and a state title in 1979. As an instructor, Hessler taught history and economics for eight years. At the time of his induction, he was serving as Department Coordinator for the Safety Education Department. He has also served as supervisor and teacher for Waukesha County Technical Institute for the past 17 years. Hessler was cited by the Federation of High School Coaches in June, 1980 for his outstanding service in the field of athletics. He also served on the WIAA’s Board of Controls.
