Robert “Nick” Nichols, athletic director at Bloomfield College from 1954-1990, passed away on April 12, 2009. He was 81 years old.
“Mr. Nichols was a catalyst for the Bloomfield College Athletic Department,” says Director of Athletics Sheila Wooten. “The success of the athletic department is owed to the foundation he and Al Restaino, Sr. built here at Bloomfield. He will be missed by many but not forgotten.”
After graduating from East Orange High School, he joined the U.S. Marines. Following his honorable discharge, he received his bachelor of science degree from Panzer College. He then became the athletic director at Bloomfield College in 1954. Coach Al Restaino took over the athletic director's duties in the mid-1980s and Nichols stayed on as a faculty member, teaching the physical education classes, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. While at Bloomfield College, he earned his master’s degree from Seton Hall University.
Nichols started the baseball, soccer and basketball programs at Bloomfield College and coached all three until he hired Coach Restaino in 1955. He and Restaino split the coaching responsibilties for many years.
He was named to the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, was inducted into the Bloomfield College Hall of Fame and the Panzer College Hall of Fame, and received the Bloomfield College athletic department award for excellence, the Administrators of New Jersey certificate of appreciation and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics plaque for exceptional service.
Nichols was a beloved figure on the Bloomfield College campus and devoted his energies to building exceptional teams. He is survived by his wife Norma, four sons, two daughters-in-law, two granddaughters and many friends.