University of Michigan Hall of Honor
William Watson
- Induction:
- 1982
Originally, Bill Watson's goal was to be a boxing star, and therefore the young man took up track to get in shape. At the high school level, the Saginaw native broke school records in the high jump, shot put and discus, and then made an assault upon the state record books. By the time Watson came to the University of Michigan in 1935, he had climbed out of the ring and began his ascent into the Big Ten track record books. An admirer of Willis Ward and track coach Charles Hoyt, Watson came to U-M to follow in their footsteps. In his career, Watson did more than follow behind such great leaders; he ran side by side with them. Rain could not stop Watson at the 1937 Big Ten Track Championships in Ann Arbor. The sophomore blew away the field in the long jump, shot put and discus, giving credit to his new nickname as "the one-man track team." His three top finishes helped Michigan to capture the team crown. Winning the long jump, shot put and discus became second nature to Watson, who swept all three events again in both 1938 and 1939. Each year he shattered more records in helping Michigan to the team title. In his six seasons with the indoor and outdoor track teams, Watson won 12 individual titles as the Wolverines emerged victorious each time. Although his dreams of making the 1940 Olympics were destroyed when the games were canceled, Watson served as secretary to heavyweight champion Joe Louis following his graduation from U-M. He later went on to serve in the Detroit Police Force before passing away in 1971.
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