Beloved physical education teacher Robert Mulvihill of New Jersey was also a former professional basketball player and military veteran. Photo credit: St. Peter’s Preparatory School.

Over the last few years, I have read many stories about classroom teachers who are also talented athletes. One of these was Robert Mulvihill, a high school teacher who was also a professional basketball player.

Robert was born on March 9, 1924, in Washington, DC. As a youngster, he earned a scholarship to attend Gonzaga College High School, a private Catholic school located in the capital city. There he played basketball, and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Following his high school graduation in 1942, Robert enrolled at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. While there, he played college basketball. When World War II erupted, Robert enlisted in the US Marine Corps, and he also transferred to the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Later Robert returned to Fordham, where he completed the requirements for his degree in 1948. He was named an All American for 1947-1948, and he was also inducted into the Fordham’s Hall of Fame.

After college, Robert played professional basketball for Wisconsin’s Oshkosh All-Stars as part of the National Basketball League. He did this during the 1948-1949 season. As an All-Star, he played 34 games and averaged 0.9 points per game. Unfortunately, an ankle injury ended his stint with the All-Stars, although he later spent a season playing for Torrington Howards in the East Coast League.

When he concluded his career as a professional basketball player in 1952, Robert relocated to Clifton, New Jersey. There he taught physical education, math, and English at St. Peter’s Preparatory School, a private all-male Jesuit school in Jersey City, New Jersey. There he earned the nickname “The Legend of Prep.” In addition, he ran a summer camp and a tour company that took children on field trips in the summers. Before his retirement in 1989, Robert’s career at the school spanned 37 years.

The former educator passed away on May 17, 2016, in Manasquan, New Jersey. He was 92 years old. To read this Chalkboard Champion’s obituary, see this post on northjersey.com.