Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
Athlete 1967 - 1970
Bob Sullivan, Class of 1971, is selected to the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame for his contributions in football.
Sullivan, a defensive tackle, was chosen to all-Northwest Conference teams three times for his contributions to teams that had a record of 28-7-1 during his four-year career.
Sullivan was the seventh athlete in the "Hartford Connection" who came west from Connecticut to contribute to Linfield athletics. Several others also are in the Linfield Hall of Fame.
He blossomed after being switched from linebacker, where he won Northwest Conference honorable mention as a freshman, to the defensive line during his sophomore season.
By his senior year, Sullivan was chosen Linfield's defensive co-captain, unanimous first-team all-Northwest Conference, first-team NAIA District 2 and honorable mention NAIA All-America.
Perhaps more important than his football experiences, Sullivan found his life calling at Linfield. The Linfield experience "changed my whole life," he says.
In particular, his coach, Ad Rutschman "made a significant difference in my life," he said.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Science in Education and enjoyed a 32-year career in education in his adopted home state of Oregon as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator, including principal.
His son, Mike, also graduated from Linfield.
Sullivan and his wife, the former Cathy Bake (Linfield '70), are retired and have homes in Milwaukie, Ore., and Phoenix, Ariz.
