Renney, Bob

Bob Renney – (1984)

 

Bob Renney

A truly versatile and well rounded athlete, ”Rapid Robert” Renney, with the quick feet and the fast arm, began his career as a forward on the basketball team and a dashman of considerable merit at Lorain High School.

After graduation Bob entered the service and while at Camp Swift, Texas he was voted the top Division running back in football. He reigned as the Division 220 yard dash champion.

Immediately after the war the athletic program at Bowling Green University was at its zenith. Bob decided to enroll and compete in basketball and track. As a freshman guard he scrimmaged regularly against the university’s best varsity team, the roster including Charley Share and Don Otten. But Bob wanted to concentrate on track and he became one of the top dashmen in the Mid-American Conference.

At the Delaware Relays in 1948 ”Rapid Robert” ran a 9.9 100 yard dash but finished second. The winner was Harrison Dillard who captured the Olympic 100 meters that year.

While still at Bowling Green one of his basketball teammates, Bob Schmelker, later an end with the New York Giants, encouraged Bob to join the Ashland Faultless Rubber fast pitch softball aggregation in the Mid Ohio League. Even with all the top pro talent, including Rip Riley of the Columbus Fergusons, Renney became one of the top pitchers in the league and was soon known as the ”Lorain Tornado”. During 1947 and 1948 Bob had a key role as Ashland went to the final four in the State Tournament.

After returning to Lorain in the 1950’s Bob played with the Fatty’s Sports Club and, finally, as if to display his versatility he joined the Cleveland-Lorain Hi Way Coach Volleyball team. As one of the top spikers in the league Bob helped win the City — YMCA Championships.