Williamson Head Basketball Coach Bill Michaels Inducted into the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame

Twenty years ago, Williamson director of athletics Dale Plummer made a coaching hire that, while it seemed good at the time, no one could have ever foreseen just how transformational it would be, not just to the Williamson basketball program, but also to the entire Williamson community.  This past Sunday night, the magnitude of that hire was recognized on a national level, as the United States Collegiate Athletic Association inducted Williamson head basketball coach Bill Michaels into the USCAA Hall of Fame in a ceremony held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Hired in July of 2002, Michaels recently completed his twentieth season at the helm of the Williamson program.  His achievements during that time are almost inconceivable:  307 victories, two national USCAA Division II championships, four national title game appearances, eight national tournament trips, 28 All-Americans, 21 Academic All-Americans, ten national tournament team members and two national tournament MVPs.

Prior to his arrival, the Williamson basketball program was floundering.  It had gone through seven head coaches in the previous fifteen years and was 5-23 the season prior to his arrival.  All Michaels did was go 18-6 in his first season and the rest, as they say, is history.

"I knew there was something special about Bill during my first interview with him when he was applying for the job," reminisced Plummer.  "But never in a million years could I have ever foreseen what he would be able to do for our basketball program and the Williamson community as a whole.

"Back in 2008, we won the first national championship in school history in 2008 and we did so against teams that had student bodies ten and even twenty times our size. Here was tiny little Williamson gaining fame on a national stage. To do it once was something I never would have dreamed of.  To do it twice (again in 2009) is something I still, even to this day, can't fully wrap my head around.  But that is who Bill is.  He is the type of coach who will take his team and beat your team one day and the next team take your team and beat his!"

As proud as he is of Williamson's accomplishments on the court during Michaels' tenure, Plummer is even more proud of the national reputation Williamson has gained for sportsmanship, both on and off the court.

"Bill has the respect of coaches and athletic directors throughout the nation.  If I had a dollar for every time a coach or an athletic director lets me know just how impressed they are by Bill and the demeanor of our players year in and year out, I would be a very wealthy man.  From Day 1, Bill's teams have been outstanding representatives of what Williamson men are all about."

During his acceptance speech, Michaels made a point to thank Williamson President Michael Rounds, as well as Provost Todd Zachary and long-time assistant coach Kevin Brown 0W3. He also paid tribute to Plummer, whose hiring decision made it all possible. Lastly, he gave a special thanks and tribute to all his players over the years, who, according to him, made it all possible.

"Williamson guys have a long day, with a very strict and regimented schedule, as well as rules and regulations they have to follow.  Then at 4:30 P.M., when their day could be done, they then have practice or are driving an hour and a half or two hours to a game.  But I really think it is that toughness that has led to the program's success and to why I've had success. 

"I'm so thankful for them and all they have done for me.  I'm coaching them but they are giving to me and filling me up inside and I'm so appreciative of that, for each of them and all they have done for me and the program."

Taking a chance on a coach who some might not have turned out to be one that dramatically changed the culture of the Williamson program. And, according to Plummer, as long as Michaels is in charge, that culture will be one that has a nationwide reputation for excellence both on and off the court.

"I've said it all along.  There is no one on any level that I would rather have coaching our student-athletes than Bill.  The best thing I can say is that if I had a son who played basketball, Bill is the only coach I would want him to play for."