Wheaton College Athletics

Bob Blaschke competed in football and baseball for the Crusaders during his time at Wheaton in the 1940s. Blaschke reminisces about coming to Wheaton shortly after World War II, “That coach Chrouser, [who] just back from the war in 1946, would have chosen me, a reluctant 18-year-old sophomore to be the quarterback to run his 'T' formation offensive system.” He continues, “My anxiety increased as I wondered how I, comparatively inexperienced in life and in football, could ever gain enough respect to become accepted as the leader of these grown men, four to five years my senior. Fortunately Coach believed in me, he worked with me, and as he persevered with me through my inexperience, my level of self-confidence developed and our dreams of a winning season were realized. Coach Chrouser’s patient mentoring of me established in me a positive, winning attitude that has been my companion in the game of life…”