Nov. 27, 2007
S.I. Advance column by Jack Minogue On Bob Balut
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Wagner College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in a ceremony prior to the 12:00 pm men's basketball game vs. Saint Francis (NY), will pay tribute to former Seahawk Sports Information Director Bob Balut, who tragically passed on March 6, 2007 at age 32 following a courageous battle with colon cancer.
Bob's dedication, loyalty, passion and talents touched everyone with whom he came into contact. He served in the Wagner athletic department from 1997-2003, left behind his wife, Erica, a former basketball player at Wagner, and two-year old son, Adain.
Serving as Wagner's Sports Information Director from 1999-2003, he created the Seahawk Broadcasting Network, which streamed Wagner's first-ever Internet broadcasts for football, basketball and baseball. In addition, he served on the Wagner Athletic Hall of Fame and the Seahawk Golf Classic committees and had a two-year stint as the Chair of the NEC Sports Information Directors committee.
Following his tenure at Wagner, he served as Assistant Director of Communications at the Northeast Conference from November, 2003 until the time of his passing. Born in Edison, NJ, he was known for the energy and passion he brought to his work. He was the league's media contact for football, women's basketball and softball, organized numerous championships and played a key role in the re-launch of the conference website.
Bob also worked as a media relations assistant at the University of Massachusetts in 1997 and began his career as an undergraduate assistant at the University of South Carolina, where he served as baseball contact for two seasons (1996-97). He won a CoSIDA/Baseball Writers Association "Best in the Nation" award for his 1997 baseball media guide.
He graduated from South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Administration, in 1997.
One of Bob's greatest passions was rooting for Rutgers football. A diehard fan since childhood, he basked in the glow of the team's success in 2006. He was also a huge fan of the New York Mets and New York Giants.
Bob's dedication, loyalty, creativity, sense of humor and character were well known among those within his profession. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues and all who had a chance to meet him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Bob's honor to:
Aidan Robert Balut Scholarship Fund:
c/o PNC Bank
Church and Greentree Road
Marlton, N.J. 08053
