Bob Eskew started playing 16-inch softball for the Calumet City Park District while in high school. After graduating, he went into the Army. Once he returned to civilian life, he enrolled at Chicago State University and quickly became friends with many of the members of the women’s softball team. After graduation, they asked him to coach their 16-inch team and soon Rose & Crown was formed. They quickly became one of the legendary teams in 16-inch softball history. Since its inception in 1976, Rose & Crown won 488 games against only 44 losses. They won fifteen league titles, 28 of 36 tournaments and nine successive ASA Metro titles. During its reign, approximately 70 athletes have played for Rose& Crown. Veteran players credit Eskew with providing the glue and the coaching expertise to mold them into champions and the wisdom to help them sustain their successes. Besides coaching, Bob also played 16-inch softball with Tub’s Pub, Studs, and Wilbur’s Cats. Bob has coached at the high school level for thirty-four years. He has coached the varsity boys basketball team at Thornton Fractional North and at Prairie State College. He was also head baseball coach, head girls volleyball coach, and assistant boys basketball coach at Bloom Township High School. He has three children – Robbie, Matt, and Megan. Bob lives in Schererville, Indiana.
