A native of Rochester, New York, Bob Cortese grew up playing football on the sandlots and playgrounds of the city located on Lake Ontario. He attended high school at Aquinas Institute, a private all male parochial school, and lettered in football and track and was an undefeated heavy weight boxing champ. 

 

Recruited to attend and play football at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, Cortese was named to three different Junior College All-American teams as a center/linebacker. He then accepted a football scholarship at the University of Colorado, and played for the Buffaloes for two years. After graduation, he accepted a student assistant job on the staff of Coach Eddie Crowder. 

 

After a dozen years of success coaching football in high schools throughout Colorado, Cortese became an assistant football coach at his alma mater. He later served as Head Coach at Mesa State College and Fort Hays State University, as well as with the Oklahoma City Wrangles, the Wichita Stealths and the Grand Rapids Rampage. 

 

Cortese retired from coaching in 2004, and has worked in radio and television. He has been active in his community as a sports reporter, newspaper columnist and baseball umpire. Cortese lives in Edmond with his wife, Sheila.

 

Please welcome Bob Cortese to the Rotary Club of Edmond.

 

Andy