On Hall of Fame Weekend, Rutgers will honor one of the greatest players in RU lacrosse history. A team leader and a shut-down defenseman, Bob Vencak starred "On the Banks" from 1979 to 1982. He went on to play internationally for Team USA and developed a reputation as one of the world's best defensemen. But it was Rutgers that always held a special place in his heart, a spot that he formed with enduring bonds with teammates that would last a lifetime.

"I played at Rutgers from 1973-1977 and had a phenomenal experience," lifelong friend Jim Teatom explained. "So when he was looking for guidance, I encouraged him a lot to go to Rutgers. I don't think anyone knew when he left high school and went to Rutgers that he would end up being so good. His development in college was completely eye-opening. By the time he reached his senior year of college, he was really the most feared defenseman in the world."

"He was a lock-down defenseman," explained former teammate Bill Naslonski. "He always covered the opponent's best player and neutralized them, no matter who it was."

Vencak perfected his "takeaway check" not just excelling in guarding the opponent, but also in taking the ball away from them.

"He was completely feared as a defenseman because of that ability," Teatom said. "To take the ball away, that's really the ultimate insult as a lacrosse player, to get stripped of the ball."

Vencak was an elite player, but off the field you would never have known when interacting with him just how good of a player he was. Inside that lacrosse locker room, however, his passion inspired his teammates.

"He was very understated," Teatom said. "He was a humble person. But on the field, he was a vicious competitor. Bobby is really the gold standard for defensemen at Rutgers."

"He was a real good guy," Naslonski said. "When you were a friend of Bob's, you were always a friend. He would do anything for you."

Vencak won the team's prestigious William Miller Trophy, the team's MVP award, three times, from his sophomore to senior seasons. He was one of just two Rutgers players ever to claim that, alongside fellow Rutgers Hall of Famer Keith Cromwell. Vencak was also a three-time All-American.

As a senior, Vencak was named a team captain, and led the program to new heights. The 1982 team dealt with adversity early on, starting the season 1-2. Behind Vencak's leadership, the squad rallied and finished the season with nine straight wins, becoming the first RU team to reach double-digit victories and setting the record for consecutive wins.

"By the time he was a senior, his play on the field spoke volumes about his leadership," Teatom explained. "That team, you could see the impact of that leadership as they rolled off those nine wins in a row."

While still in college, Vencak got invited to try out for the 1982 world team, one of just a handful of players still in college to get that invite. He joined the squad for the Pre-Olympic Games in 1984, as the team earned a gold medal. He also competed in the Toronto World Games in 1986, earning a gold medal and being selected to the "All-World Team."

"He's up there as one of the greatest defensemen to play the game, no doubt about it," Naslonski said. "I think anyone would tell you that, including his coaches and anyone that played with him or against him."

Sadly, Vencak battled cancer later in life.  He passed away at the age of 57 just one week prior to his Hall of Fame induction.

"When he found out that he was getting into the Rutgers Hall of Fame, he was so proud and excited. I'm totally convinced that it helped him live for the next 10 months," Teatom said. "It's so sad that he passed just one week before. But Rutgers was so important to him, it was a validation of everything in his experience there. He just absolutely loved Rutgers. Even though he made World Teams, was an All-American, I think his proudest moment of all was getting into the Hall of Fame."

Last month, a collection of Vencak's former teammates, friends and family gathered in his hospital room for an impromptu ceremony. The group presented Vencak with his Hall of Fame plaque in a proud but bittersweet moment.

Hall of Fame weekend will provide a chance for Vencak's teammates to reunite and share memories. At the Hall of Fame Dinner, Teatom will deliver a speech on his behalf about the brotherhood the players from that era all shared.

"My message is going to be that he was in my eyes the best defenseman ever to come out of Rutgers," Teatom said. "Not just because of his accolades, but what his peers thought about him. His relationship with his teammates was the most important thing that he developed. He still had an unbelievably deep relationship with those guys 35 years later."

In his honor, the "Robert Vencak Foundation" has been created to assist in the education cost for his son, Cole. Additionally, a scholarship has been created to be given to a high school lacrosse player that embodies the qualities and competitive traits that Bob had throughout his life.