By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics

Counting his days as a student-athlete, assistant coach, and administrator, Bob Solderitch '86 spent more than three decades in William & Mary athletics.

For 32 years, he was in the Tribe's football program — four as a player, 28 as an assistant coach. The man known as "Soldy" spent the past year as assistant director of development before his death on April 13 at the age of 55.

Appropriately, his name will be on display inside the Jimmye Laycock Football Center. The university has announced a campaign to name the entranceway that will be called the Bob Solderitch Memorial Atrium. The project was spearheaded by an initial gift of a $100,000 from a Football alumni donor who wishes to remain anonymous.  Approximately $250,000 has been raised to date for the project.

W&M's goal is to raise $650,000 and is encouraging gifts in increments of 65, whether that be $65, $650, $6,500 or $65,000. Solderitch wore number 65 in his playing career from 1982-85. All funds raised will go directly to support the Tribe football program.

"Bob shaped the lives of so many individuals throughout his time as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator," Senior Associate Athletics Director Anthony D. Henderson, Sr. said. "His impact has been felt by so many who have worn the green and gold.

"We are grateful to the anonymous donor who is helping us launch this initiative as our first public recognition of Bob's legacy at William & Mary. Soldy's name will forever be etched into the Jimmye Laycock Football Center atrium as a lasting recognition to his love and dedication to the Tribe football program."

Laycock, who recruited Solderitch from Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, believes the recognition is well deserved. "He was an integral part of William & Mary football for a long, long time," Laycock said. "I don't think there's anybody I know who loved William & Mary and William & Mary football more than Soldy."

"Whether it was coaching the offensive line, recruiting, or running the Colonial All-Pro Camp, whatever it was, he put everything he had into it. He really took pride in doing a good job. He was really proud to represent William & Mary."

Graeme Miller '85 '87 M.B.A., who played on the offensive line with Solderitch, praised his friend's commitment to W&M football.

"Bob dedicated his adult life to William & Mary and Tribe football," Miller said. "From his teammates, to the generations of players whom he coached, Bob was beloved and will be greatly missed. 

"It's hard to think of what a fall Saturday in Williamsburg will be like without 'Soldy' intimately involved.  His name being forever associated with Tribe football is fitting given his accomplishments as a player and commitment to the program over the years."

After his career with the Tribe, during which he was three-year starter at center, Solderitch signed as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. He returned to Williamsburg as a graduate assistant from 1986-90.

After earning his M.B.A. in '90, he was hired as a full-time assistant at the Apprentice School in Newport News. In 1994 and '95, he was an assistant for then head coach Bill Stewart at VMI.

In '96, he returned to William & Mary as the offensive line coach. He stayed in that position, while also being promoted to assistant head coach, until Laycock's retirement following the 2018 season.

Solderitch coached 25 linemen who won all-conference honors, eight in his final three seasons. Six were named All-Americans.

William & Mary Athletics plans to host a public celebration of Solderitch's legacy and unveil the re-named atrium during the summer of 2021, if it can be done within prevailing campus safety protocols. More details will be released at a later date.

To contribute to the Bob Solderitch Memorial Atrium project click here, while a pledge form can be downloaded here.

Stay tuned to TribeAthletics.com for more information.