Robert B. Lawson

Lawson arrived at Peddie as a biology teacher, cross-country coach and track coach in the fall of 1956. He was so fast in long-distance races while a student at The College of William and Mary that his teammates soon began calling him “Bullet.”

Over the next 34 years, Lawson coached every season except two and retired with over 600 career victories. Lawson coached 100 seasons in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. He was a teacher and coach from 1956-90. He won three state championships in track (1974, 1975 and 1978). Additionally he won two state championships in cross country (1974 and 1975).

Mark Gartner ’84 was a student of Lawson’s who returned to teach and coach at Peddie shortly after Lawson retired.

“Bullet always had something positive to say about everyone and affectionately called every student ‘Babe’.” Gartner said. “He was my coach for 12 seasons, my advisor and father away from home. He was remarkable. It takes three coaches to do what he did every day for 34 years.”

Lawson was inducted in 1987.