Bob Blaik

Robert Blaik
Born	Highland Falls, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	American football player, coach, cattleman, businessman
Years active	1947–1960 (football)
Known for	American football athlete and coach; son of Earl Blaik

Robert Blaik is a former American football athlete and coach, known as the son of United States Military Academy head coach Earl Blaik. He played under his father's guidance until his departure following a cheating controversy.

Early life

At Highland Falls High School in Highland Falls, New York, Blaik participated in football, baseball, and ice hockey. In 1947, he held the position of quarterback at Phillips Exeter Academy.

College

Blaik enrolled at the United States Military Academy in 1948. During the 1949 season, he served as backup quarterback behind Arnold Galiffa, making significant contributions in wins against Penn State and Columbia.

In 1950, Blaik took over as the starting quarterback after Galiffa's graduation. That year, Army secured victories in its initial eight games, extending an undefeated streak to 28 contests. Nevertheless, the team was defeated in the concluding Army–Navy Game, where Blaik and teammate Frank Fischl combined to complete only 6 out of 24 pass attempts and threw five interceptions. Blaik also earned varsity letters in both baseball and ice hockey.

Prior to the 1951 season, Blaik was implicated among 90 cadets involved in an exam cheating scandal that resulted in their withdrawal or acceptance of general discharge. Subsequently, he transferred to Colorado College on September 11, 1951; however, NCAA transfer regulations rendered him ineligible to participate as a player. Instead, he contributed unofficially as an assistant coach. Additionally, Blaik was chosen by former Army assistant Herman Hickman to play for the North team in the 1951 North–South Shrine Game, where he threw a 42-yard touchdown pass despite the North's 35–7 defeat.

Post-playing career

In spring 1952, Blaik assisted Heiss during football practice sessions. After completing his bachelor of arts degree, he joined the Stratford Army Engine Plant as an expeditor within the purchasing division of Avco’s Bridgeport–Lycoming branch.

Blaik began coaching in 1956 as an assistant under former Army assistant Murray Warmath at Minnesota. The next year, he became part of Miami’s coaching staff under head coach Andy Gustafson—who had been Earl Blaik’s assistant and had known Robert since childhood. In 1959, Blaik accepted the role of backfield coach at Oklahoma but resigned following the 1960 season to pursue opportunities in private enterprise.

In 1961, Blaik entered the Oklahoma oil business alongside his brother Bill. By 1973, he had moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he worked as a cattle rancher and broker. As of 2018, Blaik resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.