It is with deep sadness that William & Mary Athletics recognizes the loss of one its most valued and cherished football alumni, Bob "Soldy" Solderitch '86.  Over his 30 years of association with the Tribe football program, Solderitch excelled as a student-athlete, coach and, most recently, as an administrator.
 
"Bob Solderitch was a part of the fabric of the William & Mary program," said long-time former head football coach Jimmye Laycock.  "He was loved by his teammates and respected by the players he recruited and coached.  Bob touched so many lives in his various roles on both the staff and with our advancement team that his loss will be felt among generations of friends and alumni of the program.  My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
 
"There are very few people who embodied the Tribe spirit, upheld our core values or were more passionate about William & Mary than Bob," said William & Mary Director of Athletics, Samantha K. Huge. "He excelled as a student-athlete and graduated to live a life of impact as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend. Bob's selfless service to, and love of all things William & Mary will live on through the meaningful connections he created and maintained with generations of the Tribe; his football teammates he referred to as brothers, the players he coached, as well the entire W&M Athletics community.  The loss of Soldy is devastating to so many and I know our entire community grieves with Karen, his children, and his entire family."
 
Solderitch came to Williamsburg out of Pennsylvania's Whitehall High School in 1982.  While earning his B.A. in economics, Solderitch was a three-year starter at center and earned all-state and All-East Coast Athletic Conference honors during his junior and senior seasons. In 1985, he was named team captain and won the Tribe's outstanding lineman award. In 1990, he was named to William & Mary's 100 Years All-Time squad.
 
After a brief stint in pursuing a professional playing career with the Indianapolis Colts (in 1986), Solderitch returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant from 1986-90 while earning his MBA at W&M.  Solderitch's full-time position was at the Newport News Apprentice School, where he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
 
From there, Solderitch had a two-year stay at the Virginia Military Institute, where he coached both the offensive and defensive lines over two seasons (1994-95) under then head coach Bill Stewart.
 
Solderitch returned to Williamsburg for good prior to the 1996 season to coach the offensive line and eventually assumed the duties of assistant head coach in 2000.  During his time as an assistant, he helped six Tribe standouts garner All-America honors.  In all, Solderitch led 25 players to earn 34 all-conference awards on his watch, including eight all-league selections during the last three seasons.
 
"Coach 'Soldy' was a great coach and an even better man," said former Tribe All-American offensive lineman, Dwight Beard '02.  "He pushed us all to be our best and consistently expected your best effort in all areas. I consider myself to have truly been blessed to have been coached by him. I will forever owe him a debt of gratitude for the influence that he had on both my development as a player and the man that I am today. He will be sorely missed by so many."
 
His most recent position with the University was as a member of the Advancement team, where he was the Assistant Director of Development with a focus on primarily organizing and executing fundraising initiatives within the football program's alumni base.
 
"Bob Solderitch was an outstanding player and a true tough guy who earned the respect of his teammates and led by example, said teammate and fellow offensive lineman Graeme Miller '85 '87 MBA. "In the final pre-season scrimmage our senior year he broke his arm requiring surgery, with the addition of a steel plate, to repair the fracture.  Amazingly, he was back on the field and playing at his usual high level by the third game that season.  During the past year, Bob loved his new role in football alumni development.  At first, he admitted it felt strange to step away from the field as a coach.  However, he embraced this new challenge and very quickly understood how to leverage his unique position to bridge the gap across so many generations of football players and coaches.  Tribe nation has lost an all-time great player, coach, and advocate.  We have also lost a most loyal and steadfast friend.  Godspeed, Soldy – you will be missed."
 
Solderitch is survived by his wife, Karen, son Adam Solderitch, son Logan Culver and daughter Alina Culver. 
 
The athletics department, in consultation with Bob's family and teammates, are discussing a future celebration of life and the most appropriate way to honor him.
 
Bob's family prefers that in lieu of flowers, donations to be made in Bob's honor to the William & Mary Football Program. Please make checks payable to the William & Mary Athletic Educational Foundation and mail to William & Mary Athletics, Tribe Club, P.O. Box 399, Williamsburg, VA 23187.   To make an online gift, please visit impact.wm.edu/solderitch.