Robert Briley Dillard

Longtime JSU and Auburn University coach, Robert Dillard, passed away June 12, 2016. Robert was born April 19, 1939 in Montgomery County, Alabama. He moved to Birmingham as a teenager and attended Ramsay High School where he was a four sports athlete and President of the Student Council. He and several friends joined the Marine Corp upon graduation. He attended Samford University (' 65) where he played basketball and joined Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He began working for the Shades Valley YMCA as Program Director where he directed a large youth recreation program.

During his time with the YMCA he became interested in gymnastics, helping to develop classes at the downtown YMCA. He began working as Physical Director at the Northeast YMCA in 1966 where he began both a boy's and girl's gymnastics teams sending them to national championships in a few years. By 1970 the boys finished 3rd at both the YMCA National Championships and the AAU National Championships, and in 1972 one girl qualified for the 2nd round of the Olympic Trials. Several gymnasts began receiving college athletic scholarships. Robert was the Director of Recreation for the city of Vestavia Hills from 1972-1975 where he started the Vestavia Hills Gymnastics Club.

In 1975 he was approached by Dr. Theron Montgomery, President of JSU, to come to teach and coach at JSU. During his 10 years at JSU the teams went to regional championships 9 times, finished 10th at the 1980 AIAW Championships, finished 2nd at the NCAA Division II Championships in 1982, 5th Place in 1983, and won back to back championships in 1984 and 1985. There were numerous All-Americans. He received the Kellog's Foundation Coach of the Year in 1978 and the NCAA National Coach of the Year in both 1984 and 1985. During the years at JSU he continued to foster the age group program as the Director of the Jacksonville Gym Club. He began the highly successville Mid-South Gymnastics Camps for gymnasts, coaches and judges. By bringing in national coachaes and judges to teach, he helped to raise the level of gymnastics in Alabama and throughout the South. Teaching was always his main focus. Robert was elected to the Jacksonville State University Hall of Fame in 2003.

In 1985 Robert became the Head Coach at Auburn University. During the 14 years at Auburn, the teams qualified for regional competition 10 times. In 1991 they placed 9th at the NCAA DIvision I Championships, 5th Place NCAA Division I in 1993, and won the NIT Championships in 1993 and 1995. He was the SEC Coach of the year in both 1993 and 1999. From 1987 until 1999, Auburn University was represented at the NCAA Division I Championships by either individuals or the whole team. There were many All Americans and Academic All Americans. He continued to foster the age group program through the Auburn Gymnastics Academy and the Auburn Camps. Robert served two terms as President of the National Association of Women's Gymnastic Coaches and served on the NCAA Committee for Olympic Sports Rules and Implementation. His final contribution to Auburn University was in helping design the new practice facility, the McWhorter Center, along with AU architect, Yann Cowart.

Robert retired in 1999 and moved back to Birmingham to help care for his grandson, Blaine, who has Cerebral Palsy. Following rhizotomy surgery, he took Blaine to therapy every day for a year. He began working in the age group program again as Blaine improved, working at several clubs in Alabama. He was coaching at Calvin Twisters in Decatur when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2004. His goal during treatment, including two stem cell transplants, was to get back home to help Blaine and and to coach. Robert continued to coach at the Calvin Twisters and Mountain Brook Gymnastics until 2014. He was named the USAG Region 8 Coach of the Year and was elected to the USAG Region 8 Hall of Fame in 2010. Robert was twice nominated for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

His legacy is found in the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, but also in his passion for the sport. His focus was never winning and losing, but to foster a love of the sport and instill core values in his gymnasts. He was a true gentleman and an inspiration to those around him. When the politics of the sport became more important than the teaching, he decided to retire from collegiate gymnastics and return to his roots.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Piede, Dr. James Cantrell, all of the nurses at the Bruno Cancer Center, and Dr. Joe Welden for years of care. In addition a special thank you to Dr. Bart Barlogie, formerly the Director of the Multiple Myeloma Research Center and now associated with Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Center in NY, for your love and guidance throughout this journey.

Robert is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Lou, two daughters, Leslie Mayo and Christy Kratzer (Chris), one grandchild, Blaine Mayo, Tim Mayo, a sister, Barbara Norris (Farris) and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be Monday, June 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Reid Chapel at Samford University in Homewood, AL. A reception will follow the service in the Howard Room at the University Center at Samford University.