MAYS LANDING - As a basketball coach, Robert Goudie would implore his student athletes to always keep their elbow in. This subtle, yet effective, technique when shooting a basketball ultimately led to countless baskets and buzzer beaters. As a father and grandfather, it became a metaphor for life, to always be the best you can be, be good at whatever you do and stay well.
Over his 26 years of dedicated service to Atlantic Cape Community College, its student athletes, faculty and staff, Goudie, himself, always kept his elbow in and in return the college recognized him on Jan. 11 with the Athletics Recognition of Excellence Award during a pre-game ceremony in Jonathan Pitney Gymnasium on the Mays Landing campus before family, friends, former colleagues and guests.
A gathering was held in Carême’s, Atlantic Cape’s student-run gourmet restaurant, prior to the ceremony in the gym that preceded the Buccaneers Men’s Basketball game with Passaic County Community College.
“I am honored to join you in this celebration of Bob Goudie for his excellence as Atlantic Cape’s first director of intercollegiate athletics, first Buccaneer Men’s Basketball head coach and vice president Dean of Administration of Business Affairs,” said Terry Budd, second vice president, Atlantic Cape Foundation, who was hired by Goudie 51 years ago to work with him in the College’s business office. “Bob's success was not just on the court. He built strong relationships, made one feel valued and motivated you to perform your best, whether it was in sports, at work or in your life's goals. He pushed us to think critically, problem solve and reach for goals that we may not have thought were attainable.”
Goudie served as Atlantic Cape’s first Men’s Basketball head coach and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. He was named Vice President/Dean of Administration and Business Affairs in 1981 and held that title until his retirement in 1993. Goudie also served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees from 1975 to 1992 and during that time also played an important role in the founding of the Atlantic Cape Foundation in 1978.
In a pre-game ceremony at center court, Atlantic Cape’s Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Natalie Devonish presented Goudie, surrounded by his children and granddaughter, Sam, with a commemorative plaque that read “in recognition of your many years of support and leadership to Atlantic Cape Community College and its athletic programs.”
This year’s Buccaneers team posed for a photo with Goudie and his family, and shook the hand of the man who was so instrumental in the founding of and the early successes that the College’s Men’s Basketball program achieved in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“Coach Goudie has been way more than just a basketball coach here. I know so many lives have been changed because of you. We want the community to know about Coach Goudie,” Athletic Director Jamal Edwards said. “I want us to really appreciate Coach Goudie for who he is right now and what he's done in the past. I am definitely honored to stand here because it's an exciting day.”
As head coach, Goudie led the 1967-68 Buccaneers Men’s Basketball squad to a 20-2 overall record, back-to-back State championships in 1970 and 1971, and finished his coaching career at Atlantic Cape with an 87-13 record. More importantly, what endeared him to many of his former student athletes was not just his basketball acumen and coaching style, but his love and care for each and every one of them off of the court.
“He (Goudie) talked me into coming here (Atlantic Cape) after I had already decided to go to Virginia for college and it’s one of the most fortunate decisions I ever made coming here,” said Class of 1971 alumnus John Huff, who played for Goudie in 1969-70 and 1970-71. “What I really appreciated was I got a chance here and my father got the chance to see me play more, which he loved to do. Coach Goudie was not only our coach he was a mentor to me and a bit of a father to me too. He impacted our lives not just on the basketball court, but in life.”
Not only did Goudie treat his student athletes as if they were his own, but that loving and nurturing demeanor had a tremendously positive impact on his own family too. Goudie and his wife, JoAnn, who passed away in 2002 from ALS and in whose memory served as the family’s inspiration for the creation of the Ocean City ALS United Walk, together raised their four children along with two nephews and a niece (Amanda, Beau, Christian, Deborah, Kevin, Lisa and Robert).
“He has always been there for us if we ever needed anything. It was hard too because he was very busy with work and everything else, but he’s just been a big influence, like when his two nephews and niece came to live with us, my parents didn’t think twice,” said daughter Deborah Eberle, who stated that her father was surprised by this award. “He is very thankful and appreciative, but as always he doesn’t want all the praise.”
Goudie, now 89, has suffered several strokes over the years. According to son, Kevin, his father has his good days and bad days, but having some of his former players in attendance on this day was amazing.
Budd summarized what Goudie has meant to so many after so many years.
“Bob was there to celebrate every effort even if it wasn't always a win. He nurtured growth and inspired greatness. He has created a legacy beyond the game, beyond the seasons and beyond the workplace throughout our lives. Thank you, coach,” concluded Budd.
