ASU Retirees Association (ASURA) Video History Project Interviews

Robert (Coach) Fleming was Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands, and Director of Marching Band from 1974-2002, Coach Fleming grew up in a music family playing the flute. He briefly taught in high school, before moving to the University of Tennessee at Martin where he was band director for seven years. The interview touches on numerous topics and stories including winning the Sudler Trophy, performing at the 1991 Midwest Band Orchestra Clinic, conducting at Carnegie Hall, both ASU Rose Bowl appearance, etc. The interview ends with various discussions of the importance of the Band as a family

Joe Schabacker came to ASU in 1963 after being at the University of Wisconsin and UCLA. When he came to ASU, he was chair of the Management Department in the College of Business. Two years later he became the Vice President for Special Services at ASU. He was well known for his achievements in gymnastics. He was an administrator, professor, writer, management consultant and public speaker. He served as Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve for 33 years. He provided valuable guidance in the establishment of ASU West. One of the highlights of his career was when he was asked by President Durham at the last minute to speak to a large crowd of people who had come to ASU to hear Barry Goldwater (but Goldwater's plane was delayed) Joe then gave a speech as a substitute for Barry Goldwater. He served ASU for 25 years and retired in 1988.

Born in Muncie, Indiana as 1 of 9 children, John Edwards spent over 30 years at ASU, in various roles, working his way up to Associate Dean in Extended Education. In this interview, John recalls his experience growing up during the depression and right after school desegregation. As a young boy he had two goals – to go to college and to become a college professor, both of which he was successful in completing. He also discusses his involvement dealing with segregation/desegregation, discrimination and the Civil Rights movement.

John received his undergraduate education from Ball State University. At the time he went to college, all students held jobs on campus, and he describes many of those jobs. John spent time in the military after which he moved to Arizona and became a teacher in the Roosevelt School District. He then came to ASU as a Faculty Associate in the College of Education. While at ASU, he went back to school to get his PhD in Education.