Robert A. Coons Awarded John G. Tower Distinguished Alumnus Award

Bob Coons becomes the first Theta-Upsilon Chapter Member to receive this prestigious award and will be honored at Homecoming October 21. 

Brother Robert (Bob) Coons has been awarded the US Senator John G. Tower Distinguished Alumni Award, considered one of the highest honors Alumni can receive within the International Fraternity. 

Established in 1995, this award honors “Kappa Sigma Brothers who have shown a commitment to their business, family, church, philanthropy, and community activities.”  It is named for the late Brother John G. Tower, U. S. Senator from Texas, who served on the Kappa Sigma Supreme Executive Committee for six years and was Worthy Grand Master from 1971-73.

Brother Coons, a March 31, 1967 initiate was one of the original founding members of the group at Miami University of Ohio that started the Star & Crescent Fraternity that became the Theta-Upsilon Chapter.  Bob’s interest in starting a new fraternity exemplified by true brotherly fellowship, absent of hazing some twenty years before the State of Ohio first outlawed the practice has left a proud legacy of brotherhood for more than 1,200 Kappa Sigs at the home of the Miami Triad.  He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

He began coaching as a volunteer at Talawanda High School in Oxford while still a Miami student. He began his professional teaching and coaching career in Bakersfield, California in 1967 and distinguished himself in a life of service as a coach and educator for over 39 years and continues in service as a community member and volunteer coach to this day.

In 1976 he was hired as the head coach for the women's track team and as an assistant coach for the men’s track team at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB.) He founded and coached the CSUB men’s and women's cross country team and remained a coach at CSUB until 1989 when he resumed coaching track and cross country at Bakersfield High where he was a teacher until retiring in 2006 but he continued to coach in a volunteer capacity (now 56 years.)

Brother Coons coached 19 national champions and 16 national record-holders and more than 130 All-Americans at the collegiate and high school level and was named California Coaching Alliance Coach of the Year in 1996. At CSUB the women’s track team held top 5 ranking in the National Championships from 1981-1983. The women’s cross country team won the Western Regionals in 1979 and maintained a Top 20 National ranking for four years. At Bakersfield High School he helped coach four California State Championship Track Teams, 13 CIF Valley Championships and 7 Runner-Up titles. His impact includes coaching over 50 student athletes who have gone on to coach at the high school and collegiate levels.

Bob’s investments in youth and the community have extended beyond the track and school.  He has been influential in providing comfort and aid to the poor and underprivileged, gang-members as well as visiting and mentoring migrant inmates, and serving as a lay leader and church council member at Emmanuel Lutheran.

The recommendation letters with additional details on Bob's community service can be reviewed here!  The KSTUAA Board and Kappa Sigma Members across the country celebrate Bob for his commitment and service for over 50 years! 

Alumni are encouraged to celebrate Bob's achievement during Homecoming weekend during the Theta-Upsilon Hall of Fame induction ceremony and brunch. 
To register:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023HOFBrunch  

CSUB Women's track team with 11 All-Americans and 6 national record holders

CSUB Men's track team.