Bill Meade

Gymnastics, Class of 1994

Bill Meade won the 1942 PIAA state championship in tumbling and the parallel bars for Warren Area High School. Meade continued his successes at Penn State University where he captured the 1948 and 1949 NCAA tumbling and parallel bars individual titles. He went on to coach gymnastics where he is known for his pioneering work in collegiate gymnastics and his exceptional record leading Southern Illinois University to multiple national championships. He founded the gymnastics program at the University of North Carolina in 1949 and served as head coach at Southern Illinois University from 1956 for 33 years until 1989, during which he guided the team to four NCAA team titles and three runner-up finishes while maintaining a remarkable 68-dual-meet winning streak. Meade's coaching produced 55 All-Americans, four Olympians, and two winners of the Nissen Award, the highest honor in men's gymnastics. He also contributed to the sport through participation in six Olympic Games in coaching or administrative capacities and involvement in numerous international competitions. His accomplishments earned him induction into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in the 1974 class as a coach in the Men's Artistic discipline, as well as recognition in the Southern Illinois University Hall of Fame.