Bill “C.W” Powell

North Central High School Coach, 1967 – 96


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Bill began his swimming career after being cut from the basketball team his sophomore year at Muncie Burris High School. He and his twin brother, who was also cut from that basketball team, attended swim practice the very next day. Although Bill participated as a swimmer and diver his first two years, he excelled his senior year finishing second in both events at the state championships. He feels fortunate to have swum for Dr. Robert Korsgaard, who is also in the Hall of Fame.  Bill swam at Ball State University where he produced several school and conference records. He reports, however, that his twin brother broke those same marks after returning from military service four years later.

Bill began his coaching career at Storer Junior High School in Muncie and continued at Hagerstown High School for two more years. He started the boys and girls swim team at Shelbyville High School in 1967. He spent two years coaching at Lawrence Central High School, before finally landing at North Central High School in 1971. At that time, the high school pool was under construction, and Bill obtained a swimming officials license. He started the boys swim team and the Washington Township Swim Club in 1972, and was the head coach for the boys team for 23 years. Bill led North Central High School to their first state swimming title in 1983.  His teams also finished as runners-up in 1982 and 1987. During his tenure, his teams produced 4 relay titles and 8 individual swimming state champions, a number of state record holders and high school All-Americans, a string of undefeated dual meet seasons and a fifth place national ranking. There were numerous county and 12 sectional championships. Bill is now retired and living in Indianapolis with his wife Sondra, and they are the proud parents of three swimming sons: Tim, Scott, and David.