St. Pauls
Bob Clements, a 13 year-man at St. Paul’s, is considered one of the best athletes in Crusader history. Competing in football, wrestling, and lacrosse, he is part of the elite group of athletes that earned 12 varsity letters during their time at St. Paul’s and upon graduation, he was honored with the Best Athlete Cup. When nominated for the Hall of Fame, it was stated that Bob was “St. Paul’s best football player ever,” and as a senior he was named to the Baltimore Sun All-Metro team. In addition, he won the MSA wrestling title and continued St. Paul’s tradition of superior lacrosse goalies. After graduating from St. Paul’s, Bob went on to Washington and Lee University where he played football and lacrosse.
Washington & Lee
Bob Clements was one of the greatest athletes in the history of Washington and Lee University. Clements earned four letters as a member of the lacrosse team and two more with the football program. He also served as the lacrosse team captain during his senior season.
Clements played football his first two seasons at W&L and was one of the top defensive players on the team, totaling 104 tackles and four interceptions as a defensive back. In two seasons of football, Bob amassed more than 100 tackles and caught four interceptions.
In lacrosse, Clements spent his first two seasons as a reserve goalkeeper and was the team’s top faceoff specialist, winning 176-of-341 draws (.516) and being named the team’s outstanding freshman in 1977. Bob was the team’s face off specialist his freshman and sophomore years and then served as goalie his junior and senior years.
As a junior, Clements received the starting nod in goal and he went on to earn Team MVP and Second Team All-America laurels after posting 225 saves and a .636 save percentage. Clements then earned Team MVP and First Team All-America honors as a senior. He was named the C. Markland Kelly Award Winner as the top goalkeeper in the nation after ranking second nationally with a .702 save percentage.
Clements entered the hall of fame ranked second all-time at W&L in career save percentage (.657) and fourth in career saves (499). Clements is joined in the W&L Athletic Hall of Fame by his father, William ’50, who also won the Kelly Award as the nation’s top goalie in 1950.
