Bob's story
The coach behind Hard to Kill.
Bob Gilmartin was a Columbia football strength coach, mentor, and character-builder. The foundation carries his legacy into the fight against cancer.
01
Coach and mentor
Strength was bigger than the weight room.
At Columbia, Coach Bob Gilmartin trained athletes and built character. He was a mentor whose lessons reached beyond football.
His standard was rooted in discipline, perseverance, and leaving people and places better than he found them.
Coach. Mentor. Character-builder.
His philosophy
Three principles, carried forward.
- 01
“Train your body and mind, and never quit just because things get difficult.”
- 02
“In life, no matter what it is you do, leave the place better than you found it.”
- 03
“No blame, no anger. It is what it is. So what do we do next? Let’s go!”
02
Cancer and legacy
Hard to Kill became more than a mantra.
Bob faced cancer with the same resolve he brought to coaching. His perseverance continues to inspire the foundation's work.
Wecancer Foundation carries that legacy through patient and family support, community awareness, and the resilience Bob inspired.
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