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For
Robert Welch, it was all about getting a
second chance - or taking it away.
As
perhaps the most prolific rebounder in
Centralia Junior (now Kaskaskia) College
history, he will enter the Centralia Sports
Hall of Fame with his brother, Harvey, in
the Veterans category.
While
standing just 6'1 Welch was a force inside,
averaging more than 20 rebounds per game in
1955 for the Blue Devils while helping lead
the team to a 20-5 record.
"Robert
was only 6'1 but he could out rebound
players who were 6'10," said coach
Chuck Mundell. "He was a fine
basketball player."
Although
he played sparingly in high school at
Centralia, Welch blossomed in junior
college.
"Coach
Mundell was the epitome of what a coach
should be," said Welch. "He
gave me an opportunity which I took
advantage of, and I had two great years
under him."
"Every
game I played for him was a good game."
Once
in college, Welch became a ferocious
rebounder and in a game against the Saint
Louis University freshmen -who two years
later would be the nucleus of a Missouri
Valley Conference and NCAA qualifier -
hauled down a record 44 caroms in one of the
Blue Devils' two wins over the SLU frosh
that season. He also had 24 points in
that game.
"It
[rebounding] was about being coached on how
to get into position and then using your
ability and individual desire," said
Welch. "Coach Mundell told us
'You can't score unless you have the ball'
and that made me work on being a rebounder."
In
another game that season, Welch recorded a
double-double with 24 points and 39 rebounds
in a win over Springfield.
The
Blue Devils were edged by a point in the
Region Championship by Hannibal-LaGrange
(MO), which went on to finish second in the
nation. Averaging just more than 90
points per game as the eighth-highest
scoring team in the country, Welch earned
All-Region, All-Centralia Tournament and
All-Central Illinois Collegiate Conference
honors in addition to being named a Converse
Preseason All-American athlete.
From
there he played two seasons at Southern
Illinois University at Carbondale and then
went into the U.S. Army. Following
that was a lengthy career of more than 20
years as an educator and administrator in
the Flint, Michigan Community Schools system
before his retirement in 1992, and he still
resides there today after having raised a
family.
While
growing up in Centralia, Welch said there
were many people he'll always remember.
"I
made a lot of childhood friends and many
good teachers," he said. "I
had a great time playing basketball and
baseball alongside the kids I grew up
with. There were many people who
encouraged me. Levi Leake, Fred
Pearson, Preacher McBride, Corky Locke and
Bob Norwood are some of those who come to
mind. And I always tried to emulate my
brother, Harvey."
In
the opener to the 1954-55 season, the Blue
Devils played an Alumni team and with both
Robert (CJC) and Harvey (Alumni) leading
their respective teams with 38 points each.
"Give
your best effort in everything you
undertake," is Welch's advice; and
today he is still active in teh outdoors as
a waterfowl hunter and golfer.
"It's
a great feeling," he said of his
induction into the Hall of Fame.
"I feel very humbled about the
honor."
list@morningsentinel.com
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