Hall of Fame
Robert Adams, though standing 6’3’’ and weighing 265 pounds, was nicknamed “Tiny”. He was the first football player in Shippensburg history to earn first team All-American honors. He was selected as a tackle in 1953 by the Associated Press.
Adams, whose hometown was Tower City, helped Shippensburg go undefeated in 1952 and 1953, his junior and senior years. The team went 7-0 and 8-0 and was not defeated until the year after Adams graduated. The Red Raiders set the Pennsylvania Conference record for the longest winning streak with 20 straight victories from 1951-54.
The 1953 team led the country in total defense, rushing defense and passing defense, the only team in NCAA history to lead the nation in all three categories the same season. School records for fewest yards allowed per game (81.9), fewest yards rushing per game (53.6), fewest yards passing per game (28.3) were set that season. In addition, school records for fewest yards per play (1.68), per rush (1.57) and pass (1.91) were set.
Adams used his strength to dominate the line of scrimmage. As an example, in one game he blocked a punt by driving the blocker he was facing into the ball and the punter. During his four years at Shippensburg the Red Raiders were 27-4-1.
Since graduating from Shippensburg, Adams has distinguished himself in education and served as the principal of the Middle School in Succasunna, New Jersey.
