Toledo, Ohio – Former University of Toledo sports information director Max Gerber passed away on Thursday in a hospice care facility near his home in Sylvania, Ohio. He was 88 years old.
 
            Gerber served as UT's SID from 1960-88. For most of those years, he managed the Rockets' media relations efforts as a one-man shop. Gerber was tireless in his efforts to promote the Toledo football teams that went undefeated in three consecutive seasons from 1969-71. He also served during the glory years of the men's basketball program, which enjoyed a 23-2 season in 1966-67 and a Sweet 16 run in 1979 among its three trips to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure.
 
            "Max Gerber was one of the true legends in Rocket Athletics," said UT vice president and athletic director Mike O'Brien. "Though he never played or coached at UT, Max made a tremendous impact as its sports information director for nearly three decades. Max had a true passion for The University of Toledo. His hard work and dedication were instrumental in helping to build the national reputation of our athletics program in the 1960's and until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement, Max remained a fixture at our football and basketball games, and was an invaluable resource of historical information for our communications office.
 
            "Our deepest sympathies go out to Max's family and friends. He will be missed by all of Rocket Nation."
 
            A native of Jackson Center, Ohio, Gerber received a bachelor of arts degree from Capital University in 1950. He spent the next seven years teaching at Linden-McKinley High School in Columbus, and the next three working on the editorial staff at Ohio State University.
 
            Gerber came to UT in August of 1960. He redefined the position of sports information director at UT, setting standards and developing policies that are followed today. He received many national awards for excellence in public relations. During his tenure, Rocket teams won 24 Mid-American Conference titles. He retired from UT in March of 1988. On November 6, 1993, the media area of the Glass Bowl tower was dedicated as the Max E. Gerber Media Center. He was inducted into UT's Varsity T Hall of Fame in 1996.  
 
            There will be a visitation on Sunday from 2:00-8:30 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home in Sylvania.  A service will be held on Monday at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Sylvania beginning at 10:00 a.m. with lunch immediately following at the church.