Bob is now in his eighth season as assistant offensive line coach. He retired from Dubuque’s Molo Companies in 2010. In 2011, he offered his services as a volunteer to the Duhawk football program.
Bucko pioneered the resurrection of collegiate football at Loras from 1973-1978 during the “club football” years. He held positions as offensive line coach, assistant head coach and was named head coach in 1976.
During his tenure, the Duhawks won four Region 7 Championships. The 1973 squad was ranked No. 2 in the nation. The team was invited to play in the National Club Sports Association’s National Championship game at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania against No. 1 ranked Duquesne University. Unfortunately, logistic and financial constraints prohibited the Duhawks from participating.
In 1976, as head coach, his “club team” entered the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (today’s UMAC). Loras was the only “club” team in the conference; the others were full NAIA varsity programs. In its first season in the conference, the “club” Duhawks earned the UMAC Co-Championship.
During Bucko’s time with the 1970s Duhawks, there were 32 NCSA All-American and 20 All-Conference UMAC selections. Bob has also coached high school football in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
He served our country as a United States Navy Fleet Marine Force Combat Corpsman during the Vietnam War and is a proud graduate of Loras College.
