Members
Inductee
SYLVESTER, WILLIAM
SYLVESTER, WILLIAM
Born on August 21, 1928
Indianapolis
March 30, 2022
Inducted On
July 31, 1993
Location Inducted
Indianapolis, IN
Region Number
7
Butler
Coach
Indianapolis Cathedral
1946
Butler University
1950
Starting quarterback for 4 years; 1947 record of 7-1 and ICC Championship.
Has served as Chairman of the NCAA Division II Tournament Selection Committee, District Chairman of the AFCA All-American Selection Board, President of the Indiana Intercollegiate Coaches Association, Chairman of the AFCA Rules Committee, and President of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference; organized a civic group that brought the NCAA Basketball Final Four to Indianapolis in 1980 and again in 1991; helped form 4 intercollegiate conferences, including Midwestern Cities Conference, North Star Women's Conference, Heartland Conference, and Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference; served as the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference Commissioner since 1990; named "Man of the Year" by Indianapolis Old-Timers Club 1990; recipient of Distinguished American Award from National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame Central Indiana Chapter 2013.
Wife, Dorothy (deceased); children, Bill, Jill, Jody, Ann, Katie, and P.J.
Coaching Experience: Was Athletic Officer and football coach with US Marine Corps 1949-1953; athletic director and football coach at Scecina Memorial HS 1953-1959; assistant football coach at Purdue 1960; assistant coach at Cathedral 1961-1963; assistant coach at Butler 1964-1969; head coach at Butler 1970-1984, with record as head coach of 84-65-1; also served as Butler athletic director 1975-1989 before retiring.
Coaching Honors: 1955 Indianapolis City Championship with Scecina; was the second winningest football coach at Butler behind the legendary Tony Hinkle; had 6 Conference Championships; named Conference Coach of the Year 3 times; was an NCAA Regional Coach of the Year; had 1 NCAA Division II play-off berth; best season records at Butler 1975 at 9-1, and 1983 at 9-1-1.
Outstanding Players Coached: During 15 year tenure at Butler, coached 77 All-Conference players and numerous players moved to the coaching ranks at the high school or collegiate level, including Bill Lynch, Bob Bartolomeo, Ken LaRose, Chuck Schwanekamp, Bill Kuntz, Bill Sylvester, Ott Hurrle, and Rick Streiff.
Coaching Honors: 1955 Indianapolis City Championship with Scecina; was the second winningest football coach at Butler behind the legendary Tony Hinkle; had 6 Conference Championships; named Conference Coach of the Year 3 times; was an NCAA Regional Coach of the Year; had 1 NCAA Division II play-off berth; best season records at Butler 1975 at 9-1, and 1983 at 9-1-1.
Outstanding Players Coached: During 15 year tenure at Butler, coached 77 All-Conference players and numerous players moved to the coaching ranks at the high school or collegiate level, including Bill Lynch, Bob Bartolomeo, Ken LaRose, Chuck Schwanekamp, Bill Kuntz, Bill Sylvester, Ott Hurrle, and Rick Streiff.