Dr. Bill Thrall (2022) - Hall of Fame

Dr. Bill Thrall

Induction:
2022

A dedicated member of the UNI faculty, Dr. Bill Thrall spent over three decades as an educator, helping organize and lead the athletic department down a path built for success. Dr. Thrall joined the faculty at UNI as an assistant professor in 1960 in the physical education department before later becoming a full professor and department head. UNI's School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services would be organized under the university's College of Education under the founding leadership of Thrall, who was also a key voice in the university's separation of academic programs in the Department of Physical Education for Men and the establishment of a Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. It was this decision that effectively created the opportunity for UNI to move from a Division II institution to Division I.

Thrall was responsible for providing oversight in various aspects, including recruitment, as well as the selection and evaluation of administrators, coaches and other department staff. He also played a key role in establishing and hiring future coaches in new sports clubs at UNI, including swimming and gymnastics. Thrall was appointed by two different governors to serve on the Iowa Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He also served eight years on the University's Athletic Council as well as one year on the Athletic Advisory Council before retiring from UNI in 1991.