Legendary Skyline College Coach and Professor Bob Lualhati passes away

SAN BRUNO - The Skyline College Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance Division regrets to announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Lualhati. Coach Lualhati was hired at Skyline College in 1970 as a Physical Education Instructor and as the Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach.

Prior to coming to Skyline College, Bob was a faculty member and coach (Football, Cross Country and Track and Field) at San Francisco State, Westmoor High School and Jefferson High School.

Under his direction, Skyline College won two Division II state championships in Track and Field (1977 and 1984) and Coast Conference Championships six times in Track and Field (1973,1976,1977,1981,1984 and 1986) and twice in Cross Country (1975 and 1976). Bob was recognized as Coast Conference Coach of the Year on six separate occasions. He produced fourteen community college all-Americans and two Olympians (Steve Roller and Greg Tafralis).

During his tenure at Skyline, Bob served twice as the Dean of Physical Education, Athletics and Dance (1980-85 and 1990-96) and was the driving force in establishing the Physical Education Evaluation Program (PEEP) in 1983. PEEP evaluates (pre and post-test) Skyline College students taking fitness based courses on muscular endurance, body composition, flexibility and cardiovascular efficiency.  Almost 50,000 students have been tested since the inception of the program. Bob retired as a full-time faculty member in 1998 and continued as an adjunct instructor and PEEP Coordinator until May of 2011. In addition to being in the Skyline College Athletic Hall of Fame, Bob is a member of the San Francisco State, Daly City and San Mateo County Athletic Hall of Fames.

Coach Lualhati was known by his students, colleagues and friends as a person of integrity, enthusiasm, commitment and a no-nonsense attitude. He had high expectations for himself and everyone that he coached, taught or worked with. He was a passionate advocate about physical fitness with strong values about the role of Physical Education as a primary cornerstone in the general education of all students. Bob didn't just roll out the balls for class. He explained how the ball was made, who designed the ball, where the ball was manufactured, what the purpose of the ball was and why it was so important to use the ball correctly. Coach Lualhati  was a true educator and someone with the courage of his convictions. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

The services for Coach Lualhati were held last weekend.

(Courtesy Skyline College Athletics)