page_title: Bob Vanatta
hierarchical_section_title: Bob Vanatta
caption_attribution_description: English: Photograph of Missouri basketball coach Bob Vanatta
context_page_description: Bob Vanatta was an American basketball coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head basketball coach for Central Methodist, Missouri State University, Army, Bradley, Memphis State, Missouri, and Delta State University. At Missouri State, he won the 1952 and 1953 NAIA Championships. 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 was a member of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, which presents the Lou Groza Award to the nation's top placekicker.
  Vanatta died October 22, 2016, aged 98, in Melbourne, Florida.
context_section_description: Bob Vanatta (July 7, 1918 – October 22, 2016) was an American basketball coach and college athletics administrator.  He served as the head basketball coach for Central Methodist, Missouri State University, Army, Bradley, Memphis State, Missouri, and Delta State University.  At Missouri State, he won the 1952 and 1953 NAIA Championships.  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 was a member of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, which presents the Lou Groza Award to the nation's top placekicker.
  Vanatta died October 22, 2016, aged 98, in Melbourne, Florida.
caption: Bob Vanatta from The Savitar, 1963
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