Robert L. Scalise (1979) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

Robert L. Scalise

Induction:
1979
Class:
1971

Robert L. Scalise '71
Hometown: Uniondale, NJ
Sport: Lacrosse
Year Inducted: 1979

Robert L. Scalise ’71, a two-time All-American, ended his collegiate lacrosse career as the third highest scorer in Brown history with 137 points, trailing only Tom Draper ’64 (162) and Bob Anthony ’70 (145). Coming from Uniondale High in Uniondale, N.J., where he captained the team, Scalise quickly established his credentials by leading the Cubs in scoring with 41 points. Brown lacrosse was entering its renaissance, with the Bruins compiling a 32-11 record between 1969-71 with three consecutive New England championships, an Ivy title in 1969, and two second-place Ivy finishes. A crowd-pleasing, gung-ho attackman who played the game with reckless abandon, Scalise played a leading role in this glittering era. Some creasemen move around the field deceptively until they are open. Scalise had his own style. He would usually break through the pack screaming for the ball, and when he got it he’d bend his shoulders and his head and push opponents out of the way in his mad dash toward the cage. The 6-0, 170-pound Scalise led the team in goals as a sophomore with 29, led the nation with 47 goals as a junior, and then added 46 tallies in his senior season when he captained the Bears. His 137 varsity total came on 121 goals and 16 assists. As a senior, Scalise tied an Ivy record with seven goals in the Dartmouth game and set a Brown mark with 11 goals against UConn. The Bruins were 11-3 in his senior year, made the NCAA playoffs, and were ranked seventh nationally. Scalise was a three-time All-Ivy and All-New England, playing in the North-South game in 1971, and was called “the best attackman in the country” by his coach, Cliff Stevenson. After three years at Brown as assistant in soccer, lacrosse and physical education, Scalise was named head lacrosse coach and assistant in soccer at Harvard.