Hall of Fame
Robert "Bob" Otto served MSU for thirty years, coaching MSU grid teams from 1953 until 1969. His teams built a 74-70-4 record during that time and captured five Northern Intercollegiate Conference titles during his tenure (1958, '59, '60, '61 and '68) and placed in the league's first division every season. He also served as the school's men's basketball coach for one season, leading the 1954-55 club to an 18-4 mark.
Otto was named MSU's men's Director of Athletics in 1970 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1983.
The Fort Dodge, Iowa native was a member of the MSU, the Northern Intercollegiate Conference and North Central Conference Halls of Fame. In recognition of his contributions to the University, MSU's Highland Arena was renamed in his honor (Otto Arena) in 1991.
A U.S. Air Force major in World War II, Otto was a noted athlete during his college career. A member of the famous "Iron Men" football teams at the University of Iowa from 1939-41 where he was an offensive and defensive tackle. He graduated from Iowa in 1947 and also earned a master's degree from Iowa in 1948.
He coached the Iowa freshman team for two years and following graduation, he served as AD and football coach at Buena Vista College from 1948-53.
Â
