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Robert Michael ‘Shad’ Mischak was
born in Newark, NJ on October 25, 1932. The son of Michael and Ann
Mischak, Bob’s early years were spent in Newark, where he developed
into an unusually gifted all-around athlete, earning fourteen
varsity letters at Union High School. His athletic awards drew the
attention of West Point’s assistant football coach, Vince Lombardi,
who recruited Bob and helped him into the Class of 1954 as a
qualified alternate. He has since been inducted into Union High
School’s inaugural Hall of Fame class.
While at the Academy, Bob lettered in football and
baseball all four years. He managed to stay academically
trouble-free while spending almost all of his time on the playing
field and in the gym. It was playing football that made Bob stand
out. He certainly made history during the 1953 season. In the
College Football Game of the Year, a heart-stopping, 14-13 upset of
seventh-ranked Duke at New York City’s Polo Grounds, Bob made a
game-saving tackle. Toward the end of the game, Smith (Duke’s
All-American halfback) broke free and appeared certain to score the
winning touchdown. But from well back an Army figure set out in
pursuit. Bob cut down the gap between him and the halfback and
finally leaped on Smith and dragged him down on the seven yard line,
73 yards from the line of scrimmage. The stadium went wild, and Army
held to win, as head coach Earl Blaik called it, “The game never to
be forgotten.” For this, and a similar role he played in the
following win over Navy, Bob was honored as an All-American that
year. He is now a highly qualified nominee for induction into the
Army Sports Hall of Fame.
Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned in the Infantry
and attended the basic course and Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA.
During one patrol in Ranger training the mission was to capture an
aggressor. Bob must have made that aggressor’s day when he grabbed
him and ran off carrying him for more than 100 yards into the
forest. After assignments in Berlin and Fulda, Bob resigned in 1957
to start his impressive seven-year professional football career. He
played more pro games than any other West Pointer in history and is
its most decorated pro veteran as well.
His first year (1958) was with the New York Giants,
with which he was reunited with Vince Lombardi, who was the Giants’
offensive coordinator. As the team’s starting guard, he played in
the famed championship game dubbed the “Greatest Game Ever Played.”
Bob spent the next three years with the New York Titans (now called
the New York Jets) as offensive left guard and team captain. At this
time he became the first player to be selected to the AFL’s All-Pro
team in Jets’ history. The following three years Bob was offensive
guard with the Oakland Raiders. His playing years were highlighted
with All-Pro selections in 1960, ’61, ’62 and ’64.
When Bob’s playing years were completed he returned
to West Point, where he was offensive line coach from 1966 to 1973.
Coaching seemed to be an ideal fit—both fun and fulfilling. Bob left
the collegiate scene and coached in the pros for the next 26 years.
Most of Bob’s pro coaching career was spent with the
Oakland Raiders. During his tenure with the Raiders, the club made
the playoffs ten times, won six division titles and appeared in six
AFC championship games. During this period his club won the Super
Bowl three times, and he coached one NFL Hall of Fame member as well
as one Hall of Fame nominee. Later he coached in the Arena Football
League, International League of American Football, Italian Football
League and World League of American Football.
Bob and his wife Doris were blessed with twins: Bob
Jr. and Kathleen. Doris passed away in 2009. Bob Jr. (Melissa) lives
in Alameda, CA and Italy. Kathleen is married with two children.
A teacher of life, great coach and positive
influencer for many, Bob will be missed. May it be said, “Well done;
Be Thou at Peace.”
— Dave Thoreson, classmate, and Family |
