University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2007
- Class:
- 1973
Bill DeFlavio was a football player from 1969 to 1971, going from walk-on to first team all-American. An undersized defensive lineman, DeFlavio earned All-Yankee Conference First Team honors three times. He was named All-East as a junior and senior in 1970 and 1971, respectively.
As a senior, DeFlavio became UMass' sixth-ever first team all-American in 1971.
DeFlavio led UMass to two Yankee Conference championships in 1969 and 1971. In his era, sacks and tackles for loss weren't kept, but accounts of the games indicate that he would have been a team leader in both categories.
After his UMass playing days were over, DeFlavio went on to play professionally in the World Football League, with New York and Charlotte, and in the Canadian Football League, with Montreal.
After a business career with Nike, he shifted into real estate and development in Massachusetts.
DeFlavio remains active with UMass Football, serving as President of The Friends of Football and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the UMass Football Gridiron Club.
He graduated from UMass with a degree in Physical Education in 1973.
DeFlavio was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2007.
