Nov. 29, 2007
Philadelphia, PA- The Philadelphia Soccer Seven has renamed the men's soccer `Freshman of the Year' award the `William `Bill' Wilkinson Freshman of the Year' after the former La Salle Men's Soccer head coach, announced at the annual Philadelphia Soccer Seven banquet on Monday evening. Wilkinson coached for 17 years at La Salle.
The late Bill Wilkinson was an All-American soccer player at Drexel University. He served as Head Coach at Philadelphia University and Assistant Coach at Saint Joseph's University in the mid-1960's before making his way to 20th & Olney. He was inducted into the La Salle `Hall of Athletes' in 1991, and is also a Drexel Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (1984). His son Bob is currently an assistant coach at La Salle, and was inducted into La Salle's `Hall of Athletes' in 2005.
"He was fair, honest, and possessed a very competitive spirit," said La Salle Men's Soccer Head Coach Pat Farrell about the elder Wilkinson.
Wilkinson (Sr.) coached at La Salle from 1969-1975, and then again from 1977-1986. His ability to communicate and relate to his players were trademarks of his coaching style. Bill became involved with the United German Hungarian soccer club and coached the team to the National Amateur Cup final and National Open Cup final after his playing days were over.
Coach Farrell joined Wilkinson as an assistant coach in 1977. Wilkinson recorded 140 wins for the Explorers, surpassed only by his former study Farrell who is currently the winningest La Salle men's soccer coach with 168 wins.
"My fondest memories with Bill are the ones when the weather was the worst," said Farrell. "Our rainy day practices always ended with a diving head ball drill, and you can believe that Coach Wilkinson had more mud on him then any player by the end of it."
After retiring from La Salle in 1986, Wilkinson remained involved with soccer in the Philadelphia community. At the age of 67, Bill continued to stay active by refereeing and running.
In July of 2006 Wilkinson lost his struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He battled to the end, and his legacy and spirit will forever live on at La Salle, and in the Philadelphia Soccer Seven.
