Bobby Ross was not only a Georgia Tech coach, but also a Georgia Tech dad.
During his five years as coach of the Yellow Jackets, Ross had a son, Rob, enrolled at the institute.
“Robby was an engineering student and he was just like a lot of guys,” Ross said last week. “He was experiencing some difficulty in school early.”
Ross suggested that his son seek the counsel of his team’s academic advisor. Todd Stansbury gave Rob some help and attention and introduced him to people in the engineering department, Bobby Ross recalled. Rob decided to stick it out. He eventually made dean’s list and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Tech. He is now an engineer at Kimley-Horn, a design consulting firm with offices in Atlanta. He was among those welcoming Stansbury to Tech last Thursday when he was introduced as the school’s new athletic director.
Stansbury’s assistance to his son was just one reason why Ross was quite pleased with the hire.
“Georgia Tech got themselves a really good man,” said Ross, now living in Richmond, Va. “He’s a Georgia Tech guy and he’s a real detail guy. He will do very well.”
Ross said that Stansbury was one of the really big reasons for the improvements that Tech made in academic performance over his time. Stansbury helped ensure that players were attending tutoring sessions and study hall and going to class.
“All I remember is he just did a really good job,” Ross said. “We really had no more problems.”
Part of the solution, Ross said, was that Stansbury could relate well to players having been one himself at Tech.
“He knew what that was all about and he was willing to make the commitment of time that needed to get it done,” he said. “I’m talking about working till 8, 9, 10, 11 o’clock at night and being there early in the morning. He’s an outstanding individual and I was never more happy to see him get the job.”
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