TOWSON, Md. – Towson University's 1983 football team set numerous defensive records with linebacker Bobby Poist playing a major role in helping the Tigers to their first post-season appearance as a NCAA Division II program.

The former defensive standout will be inducted into Towson's Athletic Hall of Fame on October 18^th. Joining him in the Class of 2024 are Jerrelle Benimon (basketball), Kacy Catanzaro (gymnastics), Mike Garner (Track), Spiro Morekas (broadcaster), Frank Olszewski (soccer coach) and Brian Yaniger (golf coach). The 2012-13 men's basketball team will be honored as a Team of Distinction. The banquet will be held on campus in the University Union. Tickets are available by visiting https://towsonuniversity.regfox.com/towson-athletics-tiger-honors-hall-of-fame-induction-2024.

The '83 Tiger defense gave up just 88 total points in 12 games that included four shutouts. Among Towson's victories were wins over Division I-AA opponents Delaware and James Madison, holding them to a combined total of seven points. The season ended in Fargo, N.D. where the Tigers bowed 24-17 to eventual national champion, North Dakota State.

"We had a tremendous group of players that allowed me to play with reckless abandon," says Bobby. "I always knew where my help was coming from. I could cause havoc and the guys to the left and right of me could clean up and make the tackles. I attribute anything that I accomplished individually to the team that we had."

Bobby led the way with 65 tackles and 17 sacks, a program record that stood as the single season mark for 17 years. By the end of his career, he ranked third on Towson's all-time tackle list with 252 and first in sacks with 31 sacks.

Despite interest from other schools around the country, including Southern California and Tennessee, Bobby stayed local. "I chose Towson because I wanted to go where I was going to play and not have to wait until my senior year to perhaps start or get significant playing time," Bobby says. "Also, I wanted to play where my family could come to the games."

Coming out of South Carroll High School Bobby was a double recruit at Towson with Phil Albert looking at the linebacker and Billy Hunter hoping to add another pitcher to his squad. After his freshman year Bobby left the baseball program. "I was going to baseball practice then running across the field for spring football and finally hitting the weights all in the same day. It was a bit too much."

Following his college career Bobby was signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins. He stayed with them through their spring drills in Carlisle and until the third cut when he was let go. "I was the last linebacker to be released," Bobby says. "The timing wasn't really good for me. They were in their heydays, coming off back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. They had a great core group. There wasn't a lot of room for new guys."

In 1985 Bobby signed as a free agent with the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League, locking in a starting role at linebacker. However, just before the start of the league's regular season the USFL folded, sending players, coaches and staff home. He then penned a semi-pro contract with the Chambersburg Cardinals in the Gridiron Developmental Football League. He was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year for helping the Cardinals to a national semipro championship. The following year he retired from football.

After a two-year stint with the Maryland State Police, Bobby embarked on a 27-year career as a financial consultant. He recently started his own home design and remodeling company, Design-Build-Direct.