Bill Schipper
Track &Field (1962-64)
Cross Country (1962-64)
Basketball (1962)

For someone who never ran track in high school, Bill Schipper proved that he was a quick study in both athletics and academics.

After graduating from Torrance High, Bill immediately went to work, not on his degree, but as the assistant sports editor for the South Bay Daily Breeze. In that position, he had the thrill of covering the 1959 World Series between the Dodgers and White Sox. After serving as sports editor of the Torrance Herald, Bill enrolled at Chico State in the spring of 1961. By the end of his collegiate athletic career, he would hold three school records and earn several awards, including being named All-America for his third place finish in the 1964 mile run at the NCAA national championships.

Bill graduated with a degree in political science, and while enrolled in grad school at Chico, became Chico High School’s first cross country coach and assistant track coach. It was in the position of assistant track coach where Bill had the distinction of coaching Sam “The Flash” Simmons to a 1:58.2 time in the 880 in the North Section finals.

Bill was later hired as a teacher at Pleasant Valley High and moved on in 1967 to the position of cross country coach at UOP. In 1974, Bill earned his Ph.D and was one of just six students in the U.S. to learn and help implement Special Education programs on a national level. Since then, he has earned countless awards for his exceptional service to youth with disabilities. Bill is currently the academic dean at Strayer University in Alexandria, VA.