No Wheaton coach enjoyed greater affection from his players or respect from his colleagues than Bob Baptista ’44. 

Although he assisted in basketball and baseball, Baptista’s campus legacy remains with 16 years served as varsity soccer coach. He was the first Midwestern collegiate coach to reach 100 career wins, coached an undefeated team in 1966, and earned five Mid-East regional titles as well as NCAA recognition. 

Former player Pete Olsson ’63 broke a leg playing. “I learned patience and leadership skills as ‘Coach B’ responded as a caring mentor.” 

Scott Oury ’58, M.A. ’61 remembers “calm encouragement, intelligence, teaching the game with skill and humor.” 

Les Habegger ’54 affirms “Bob and Martha Cole Baptista ’45 as the reason for my continuing to follow Christ.” 

Three soccer coaches are special fans. Cliff McCrath ’58 coached the team during the season Baptista was completing his doctorate. When Wheaton faced overwhelming odds in a playoff game, Baptista listened and simply said, “Of what significance is victory if the challenge is too small?” Wheaton won the championship. 

Joe Bean HON was under contract when recruited by Baptista, who insightfully said, “We’ll wait for you.” Bean ensured Baptista’s name lives on in the annual season-opening Bob Baptista Invitational Soccer Tournament. 

When Baptista was vice president at Trinity International University and needed a soccer coach, Mike Giuliano hesitatingly applied, though he hadn’t coached before, noting: “Dr. Baptista could convince people they could do anything. When he said ‘Mike, I believe you’d make a phenomenal coach,’ I believed him.” He was hired. 

Honored with numerous awards throughout his lifetime, Baptista’s richest rewards remain in the hearts of those who loved this man of God.