Members
Inductee
KING, WILLIAM A.
KING, WILLIAM A.
Born on April 1, 1928
Elkhart, IN
November 6, 2018.
Inducted On
June 27, 2003
Location Inducted
South Bend, IN
Region Number
2
Elkhart
Player
Elkhart
1946
Earned 6 varsity letters, with 4 in football as an offensive/defensive tackle and 2 in track as a shot putter; MVP and Team Captain of football team senior year; All-State football for 4 years.
Ball State University
1950
4-year letterman and starter in football at offensive and defensive tackle position; acting captain 1947-1949; elected MVP in 1947 and 1948; coach was John (Maggie) Magnabosco; team had a string of 14 straight wins during 1948-1949 seasons and was undefeated and untied in 1949, with a record of 8-0-0; 4-time All-State selection; 4-year letter winner in shot put and discus.
From 1951-1953, served in United States Army stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, as Athletic & Recreation NCO; played guard on the post team for 2 years with his team winning the 5th Army Championship; won 5th Army Competition in shot put and competed for a position of All-Service Olympic Representative for 1952 Olympics; served on the BSU Alumni Board and was first President of the BSU Alumni Letterman's Association; was honored in 1976 as a Charter Member of the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame; received the BSU Distinguished Alumni Award 1979; inducted into Elkhart County Hall of Fame; owner/partner of Mishler Mfg., Inc.
Wife, Leila (deceased 3-8-2017); daughter, Karen Sue, and son, Robert (Leslie); grandson, Calvin.
Professional Athletic Background: Was drafted by Cleveland Browns and signed by Weeb Ewbank 1950; after 2 weeks, he returned to Ball State as assistant freshman football coach and varsity scout assistant; on Sundays, he played semi-pro for the Indianapolis Tryons as guard, tackle, and linebacker where he earned Most Valuable Lineman 1950.
