Bob McBride was a standout football player at Logan High School from 1937-1939. Leading the 1939 SEOAL champion Chieftains as captain, he played a pivotal role in a memorable comeback victory at Middleport that fall. Bob secured the win with two long touchdown passes and crucial extra points, sealing Logan's 21-20 triumph. Following the game, a special train transported hundreds of Logan fans back home, where they paraded from downtown to the stadium in celebration. As a senior fullback, he became only the second Chieftain to receive All-Ohio honors. In 1977, Bob was inducted into the Logan Athletic Hall of Fame
Bob McBride joined Notre Dame in 1940. He made a significant impact, becoming a key player and receiving monograms in 1941 and 1942 while playing as the starting right guard. In 1943, he temporarily paused his football career to serve in the military, where he excelled as a machine gun squad leader in the 106th Infantry Division.
His unit swiftly moved to the Belgian front and encountered the German counter-offensive during the Battle of the Bulge. The 106th Division suffered significant losses, with nearly 7,000 men killed or captured. McBride was captured on Dec. 21, 1944, and endured harsh conditions, including a 13-day forced march and imprisonment in two camps, followed by a 50-day march during the German retreat. Surviving on a meager diet of one-seventh of a loaf of bread per day, McBride's weight plummeted from 212 to 90 pounds before he was liberated after 122 days of captivity, marking the end of his 39 months of service. He received three battle stars, a purple heart and the presidential unit citation.
McBride utilized a summer construction job to get back into shape before rejoining the Irish in the autumn of 1946. Though initially in a backup position, he motivated his teammates, leading them to appoint him as captain for the crucial mid-season match against Army. This legendary encounter resulted in a 0-0 draw (avenging significant defeats to Army in the preceding two seasons), propelling Notre Dame to secure the national championship (8-0-1).
McBride's time at Notre Dame during the 1940s was marked by significant disruptions, including the interruption of his football career by World War II, where he spent four months as a prisoner of war. Despite these challenges, he returned to the team for his senior season and contributed to the 1946 Notre Dame national championship win. Bob was a proud recipient of the Byron V. Kanaley (recognizing exemplary student-athletes/leaders) and the Harvey G. Foster Award (recognizing athletic and civic achievement.)
Additionally, he served as an offensive line coach during the final five years of Frank Leahy's tenure (1949-53).
In addition to his offensive line coaching duties on the field, Bob headed the Notre Dame recruiting program and instituted a tutoring program to ensure that every player was academically successful. His skill at breaking down game tape and overall coaching ability made him one of the most valuable members of the program during the final Frank Leahy years. He also was selected by Leahy as the first coach of the San Diego Chargers professional football team. But after initially accepting, he decided to stay in South Bend where he was employed at Artim Transportations Systems.
Bob was married to Mary Stein. They had 7 children, Pat, Bob, Mary Ann, Cathy, Mike, Tim, and John. Additionally, they had 43 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren. Both Bob and Mary have passed away and were laid to rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery on the campus of Notre Dame University.
His youngest son John McBride shared that his dad contributed his successes to his Logan Chieftains head coach, Tommy Bender. “Coach Bender inspired Dad to rise up and be all he could be on the field and in life. Dad always had tremendous respect for Coach Bender. To honor Dad is also an honor for his coach.”
Dr. Lori and Jacob Hill donate to BYF every year. Any person or organization that donates a cumulative amount of $10,000 or more to BYF has a grant given in their name every year. Each year, Brighten Your Future will present a Named Grant in honor of that individual.
Dr. Lori and Jacob Hill wanted their award to honor Bob McBride. They felt that his story is one that could motivate others. Jacob shared “I think I lived in Logan almost 20 years before I heard his story. I could not believe I had not heard about him. He and people like him saved the world and are what made them the Greatest Generation! To hear his story and the thousands like it from that era…….and tell me we have it rough today….. Maybe, remembering Bob will inspire someone from a future generation.”
Joe Murtha, former Logan-Hocking Superintendent and BYF Trustee, was Bob’s godson. Bob became Joe's godfather when he was only around 12 or 13 years old. During the Logan vs. Jackson game on August 23, Joe Murtha, on behalf of BYF, awarded a plaque to Bob's youngest son, John, and his youngest granddaughter, Anna. Trustee’s Chad Grow, Jim Robinson, Lee Howdyshell, and Executive Director Kim Norway also assisted with the presentation.
May Bob’s story serve as is an inspiring tale of resilience and determination that cannot be told enough.
Pictured: Anna Kohrman, granddaughter; John McBride, son; Joe Murtha, BYF Trustee and godson of Bob McBride; Chad Grow, Trustee; Jim Robinson, Trustee; Lee Howdyshell, Trustee; Kim Norway, BYF Executive Director