Bob Rule Obituary, Death – Robert “Bob” Rule passed away on November 6 at his home in Block Island, Rhode Island. He was the starting goalie for the US men’s national team in 1974 and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1998. Since 1998, Rule had been a part of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He was 73. Rule, an All-American first team goalie and first team All-Ivy League selection, played goalie for Cornell University. In 1971, the Big Red won the first NCAA title thanks in large part to him. He received the C. Markland Kelly Trophy and was crowned the USILA’s national best goalie for that season. He also took part in the South versus. North All Star Game.
Rule spoke on the uniqueness of the inaugural championship during an interview for the 2021 issue of USA Lacrosse Magazine, which was devoted to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first NCAA tournament. Cornell defeated Maryland 12-6 in a game that was played at Hofstra University. Rule said, “I don’t believe anyone gave it much attention until we were getting near to the end of the regular season. Stepping into it was like going into the big unknown. There were finally comments like, “Hey, we’re not going to quit at the end of the season. There will be a playoff.” I think that as the season neared its completion, the players began preparing for that.
Rule said that the 1971 Cornell team had a special sense of brotherhood as a result of their shared involvement in history. “Winning the first one is like winning the first World Series or the first NFL championship.” Rule remarked that it might be significant in some way. I think we succeeded in ushering in a completely new era for a sport, he remarked. After graduating from Cornell, Rule continued to play lacrosse professionally with the Long Island Lacrosse Club. When he was chosen to play for the American squad in the inaugural men’s world championship that the newly established International Lacrosse Federation recognized in 1974, he made history once more. Rule was a pioneer in the lacrosse community.
With a perfect record of 3-0 after the round-robin matches against Canada, England, and the Australian host nation, the United States of America won the competition that took place in Melbourne, Australia. Rule, who excelled in many sports, began playing lacrosse in Manhasset (New York) High School. There was where he played his first game of lacrosse and watched his first game ever. He allowed 2.17 goals per game and had an overall save percentage of 84 percent when his career was over. Prior to completing his schooling at Cornell, where he started as the starter in goal for three straight seasons, he was awarded All-Nassau County honors in 1967.
Rule made history by becoming the first Cornell athlete to compete on two different national championship teams. Rule was a reserve goaltender for the Cornell hockey team in 1969-1970 and was also awarded the most valuable player of the Big Red’s lacrosse team in 1971. He achieved this honor while playing hockey for the Big Red in 1969–1970. He returned to Manhasset High School in 1974 to teach history and help with the boys’ lacrosse team’s coaching. Rule helped Manhasset reach seven state championship games and win four championships while serving as an assistant coach for fellow Hall of Famer Alan Lowe and Lowe’s replacement, Bill Cherry. During Rule’s reign, Manhasset also won numerous Nassau County and Long Island titles. Prior to his retirement in 2014, Rule had spent a total of four decades coaching and teaching.
At the time of his retirement, Rule was reportedly cited as saying, “I liked what I did, and when you love what you do, it truly doesn’t feel like work.” Rule was regarded as the premier lacrosse goalkeeper coach on Long Island for the majority of his tenure. Anyone who sought his advice and instruction was given access to his knowledge and experience. He is the author of “Power Goaltending,” which is regarded as one of the most important books on goalie training. He has also received numerous patents for creative goalie stick designs over the years. He had such an easy attitude as a coach, Cherry said, and the players loved him for it. “He was the type of person who could make anyone’s day better simply by being himself; he had a terrific sense of humor and loved to have fun. A distinguished member of society, he was.
Rule was honored in three different halls of fame: the Manhasset Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1991, the Long Island Metro Chapter Hall of Fame in 1988. These achievements are in addition to his 1991 induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Regarding the services’ accessibility, no information is presently provided.
