Upper Iowa University Athletics

Robert McLeese received his bachelor’s of arts degree from Upper Iowa University in 1928. He did additional graduate work at the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University in Des Moines, where he received a bachelor’s of science degree in education in 1945.

McLeese played guard for four years on the Upper Iowa basketball team, starting all but one game in his career. He was appointed a team captain spot in his senior year. McLeese also lettered four times in track and was captain of the track team in 1927. He participated in football all four years of college.

McLeese coached at several high schools in Iowa post graduation. While at Vinton HS, his basketball team won the county and sectional championships. At West Union HS, his 1939 football team was undefeated and untied, and they were conference champions. His West Union basketball team was also very talented, earning four sectional, county and conference championships. He also coached a baseball team to the sectional championship.

McLeese was superintendent of schools at Hawkeye, where his football team earned two conference championships. He also served as superintendent at McGregor and at Waterville.

Now retired and living in Harpers Ferry with his wife, Dorthea (Class of 1928), he is active in Kiwanis and senior citizen activities. The McLeeses have twin draughts, Jan and Jean, and a son, Larry, all of whom graduated from Upper Iowa.