Head Coach Bob Duley

Entering his twelfth season in 2009, Robert Duley has established himself as the most successful coach in the schools history. He has led the men to more 1st division MWC finishes (11), than all of his predecessors combined (5), a period that dates back to 1938.  He is the only coach to lead the women to a MWC 1st division finish.  A feat they have accomplished five times, including a 5th place finish in 2008.

With the completion of the 2008 season the Red Hawk men have put together the best 10 year run in Ripon’s long MWC relationship.  They have finished fifth or higher in each of those ten seasons.  In 2002 he guided the men to their first Wisconsin Private College Championship.  In 2005, 2007, and again in 2008 they repeated as WPC champions.  As in the MWC, the Hawks have had the ten highest finishes in the Private College Championships over the same period of time.  He is the only coach to lead the women’s team to any invitational victories (4).  This includes their first ever Wisconsin Private College Championship in the ’06 season!  In his tenure, Coach Duley has led the men and women to a total of nineteen invitational titles and twenty-eight runner-up titles.  An incredible statistic given the fact Ripon had gone twenty-five years without a cross country win until 1999.

Individual success has marked Coach Duley’s tenure as well.  In 2004 Gina Baker became the first ever four time All-Conference performer for the Red Hawks.  In 2005 Dave Billings became the second four time All-Conference performer when he won the MWC individual title.  The only three-time All-Conference performers for the Red Hawks are Lori Stich, Abby Williams, Alice Saunders, Jessica Davey, Mark Nolan and Bryan Schneider.  In 2005 Dave Billings became only the second two-time NCAA national qualifier.  The legendary Lori Stich is the only other Ripon College runner to qualify for the NCAA national meet twice (in 1989 and 1990).  In 2006 Brittany Dick qualified for the NCAA national meet as well.   In all, Coach Duley has coached 38 All-Conference cross country athletes.  The head coach of track and field for the past sixteen years, Coach Duley has built those programs into solid conference contenders.  During his tenure Coach Duley has led the Hawks to their highest MWC finishes in school history.  Coach Duley’s men’s and women’s track & field teams have won a total of thirty-eight invitational titles.  Together his Ripon cross country and track/field teams have won 57 invitational titles.  He has taken the track program to the next level with a total of 28 national qualifiers.

Duley’s formula for success combined with his unlimited enthusiasm and talent has not only transcended seasons and levels, but also has transcended sports.  As a track and basketball coach at Westfield High School for 21 years, Duley’s teams won more than 500 contests and 13 conference championships. 

Coach Duley received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida in 1969 and his Masters of Arts degree from Marian College in 1990.  Duley is also a USATF Level I & II certified endurance and jumps coach.  Duley lives in Westfield, Wis., with his wife Darlene.  Rob and Darlene have five beautiful daughters: Daycia, Tara, Alycia, Carina, and Marisa.  They also have nine grandchildren.