Bob Gatti graduated from the University of South Carolina and eventually came to Westerville in 1978 as a Hall Director, thinking he would be at Otterbein no more than two years. Little did he know, it would become home over the next four-plus decades.

He was promoted to Campus Center Director in the early 1980’s, and then turned down a job at another school to remain at Otterbein as the Dean of Students. Come 1992, shortly after he was promoted (again) to Vice President for Student Affairs, Athletics was moved under his umbrella of responsibility.

One of the very first tasks that Bob accomplished was combining men’s/women’s athletics into one department, while also conjoining the health and physical education department as well. He promptly hired Dick Reynolds as Director of Athletics and supported him throughout a legendary career of accomplishments… both as a basketball coach and administrator.

Athletics consistently evolved under Bob’s leadership with both the success of programs and improvements to facilities. The Clements Recreation Center opened in 2002, around the same time Otterbein won a national championship in men’s basketball and finished as the national runner-up in men’s soccer during the same calendar year.

Four sports were added during his reign (women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, wrestling) while plenty of other spaces were either renovated or built through fundraising – tennis courts, softball field, weight room, development of the cross country course, purchase of property on Africa Road for practice space, turf and track project inside Memorial Stadium, etc.

Gatti’s efforts from 1978-2019 certainly helped put coaches/student-athletes into better positions for all-around growth. There were approximately 300 athletes competing under a budget of $400,000 to begin his early years. At the time of Bob’s retirement, well over 500 SA’s were living the experience while supported by a budget of roughly $2 million.

Bob has received the O Club’s Outstanding Service Award and has been responsible for developing many other areas around campus. He has served on various boards in support of higher education while enhancing programs at Otterbein related to student conduct and wellness, community engagement, counseling, food/health services, diversity, campus police and more.