Calamari, Robert

 

Robert Calamari – (2003)

 

A pure athlete who played for the love of the game best describes this three-sport star from Lorain Admiral King High School. Robert “Bob” Calamari excelled in football, basketball and baseball for the Admirals from 1980 through 1984 and was a two-sport athlete for Duke University from 1984 – 1988. He was the 1984 recipient of the J. Ed Uland Award.

Calamari earned ten varsity letters for the Admirals; four in baseball, three in football and three in basketball. He was either captain or co-captain in each of these sports his senior year. Bob is most proud of the teams’ winning records.

He was twice named as First Team All-Buckeye Conference for his outstanding punting and once for his work on defense. His achievements as a punter were recognized statewide earning All-Ohio honors by the United Press International. His versatility on the gridiron earned him the opportunity to be selected and play in the prestigious annual North/South State football game as defensive back. Also, he was the first athlete in Admiral King history to win the Golden Helmet as the County’s outstanding football player.

Bob was an anchor at shortstop for the Admirals playing in several Buckeye Conference All-Star games and earning All-Conference and All-County honors. As a senior he was named the team most valuable position player, by leading the Admirals in batting average (.539), extra base hits and home runs. In 1984, he helped lead them to the state regional championship game. He also played summer baseball for the great Lorain Products teams of the early eighties that won back to back Hot Stove State Championships.

In basketball, he was selected to Honorable Mention All-Ohio, All-Buckeye Conference and several All-Sectional and All-District teams. In the summer of 1983, he was a member of the Ohio basketball team that finished seventh in a national high school tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bob went on to play for Duke University earning six varsity letters in football and baseball. He played defensive back and outfielder for the Blue Devils. Upon graduation from Duke, Bob attended the Toledo University College of Law and is now a partner with Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough law firm. Bob and his wife Jennifer have two children, Michael (5) and Matthew (2) with a third on the way. Bob stays active by spending time with his family, running marathons and through his involvement with the first Presbyterian Church.