Hall of Fame
Bob Carley played four seasons (1983-86) on the football team as a linebacker, starting the final three. As a senior in 1986 he made 122 tackles, which at the time was the third-highest ever for a season in AU history, and was named a Pizza Hut Third Team All-American.
Carley helped lead the Saxons to the program’s first-ever postseason victory, a 30-3 win over Plymouth State in the 1986 ECAC North Bowl Championship.
He was named a First Team ECAC Upstate all-star in 1986 and finished his career with 308 tackles, which at the time ranked second all-time at AU.
Carley died at age 23 in March 1988, less than two years after concluding his stellar playing career at AU. At the time of his death, he was serving as a private in the U.S. Army in Fort Ord, CA, and suffered a heart attack while participating in a platoon run.
Bob’s brother, Pete, said his brother was passionate about playing for the Saxons.
“He excelled at college ball. It was his life, being part of that great defense at AU, especially on that ’86 team,” Pete Carley said.
“Bob had a huge heart. He was was just a friendly, likeable guy: then he got on the field,” he added. “The middle linebacker position was his and he excelled at it.”
Each year, the football team presents an award named in his honor. The Bob Carley Memorial Award is given to a player “who displays a positive attitude and exceptional work ethic.”
