Robert Gardner
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- Class Year:
- 1963
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- Induction Year:
- 2006
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- Role/Sport(s) Played:
- Cross Country, Track and Field
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- Club Team:
- Student-Athlete
Robert Gardner was a key member of the powerful track and field teams of the early 1960s. He finished first in the 220 at the 1963 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Track and Field Championships, along with a second-place result in the 440. In addition, he was part of the 4x400 relay that established, at the time, a school record. He received the Stanford Mickle Award, given to the top male athlete in the senior class, following his senior season as he helped the Eagle track team to a 10-1 record. He paced the squad with 89 points scored during the 1963 season and tied the existing school record in the 440 in the final meet of the campaign. He won the 220 at the MACs despite being a late addition in the event. He has been described by former coaches and teammates as having one of the “finest finishing kicks” in Juniata history. He was selected as most outstanding competitor on the track team after the 1962 season and finished as the runner-up in the 440 at the MAC Championships during that same year. He also earned 37 points as a sophomore on the track squad.
