Robert Carswell "Bobby" Lowther, Sr. (December 14, 1923 – March 23, 2015) was an American collegiate athlete best known for his rare distinction at Louisiana State University: in 1946 he was named an All‑American in both basketball and track and field. That achievement makes him the only two‑sport All‑American in LSU history and a notable figure in the university's athletic legacy. LSU Athletics recognizes Lowther as a unique example of mid‑20th century multi‑sport excellence.

College career and recognition

Lowther competed for LSU during an era when many college athletes participated in multiple sports. In 1946 he received national recognition in basketball and in track and field, earning All‑American honors in both disciplines. The dual recognition reflected both his versatility and the broader collegiate sporting environment of the 1940s, when seasonal scheduling and training allowed top athletes to contribute across programs.

Athletic profile and strengths

Contemporaneous accounts and the dual All‑American status point to a combination of physical skill, adaptability and competitive consistency. While records list him generically under basketball and track and field, the achievement implies proficiency in skills valued across sports: coordination, strength, speed and competitive poise. Multi‑sport athletes like Lowther often served as leaders on their teams and helped raise the profile of their programs.

Legacy and importance

Lowther's distinction as LSU's only two‑sport All‑American remains a frequently cited fact in the university's athletic history. It illustrates how college sport has changed—modern specialization and year‑round training make similar dual honors increasingly rare. His example is used to highlight the breadth of talent that once characterized collegiate athletics and to celebrate LSU's sporting heritage.

Notable facts

  • Full name: Robert Carswell "Bobby" Lowther, Sr.; lived 1923–2015.
  • Named an All‑American in both basketball and track & field in 1946.
  • Holds the unique distinction of being LSU's only two‑sport All‑American.

Lowther's life and career are remembered primarily for that dual honor and for the example he set as a versatile collegiate athlete in the post‑war era. His passing on March 23, 2015, prompted remembrances from the LSU community and served as a moment to reflect on a period of college athletics when multi‑sport stars were more common.