University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2010
- Class:
- 1975
An All-American athlete in cross country and star in track & field, Bill Gillin had one of the best careers in UMass history.
As a cross country runner, he was an All-East selection three times as well as being a four-time All-Yankee Conference selection and a member of the All-New England Team. He helped UMass to four consecutive Yankee Conference Championships in cross country.
As a senior in 1974, Gillin co-captained the team to the IC4A Championship and a runner-up finish in the New England Championship. His All-America performance led the team to an eighth-place finish nationally in the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.
In track & field, Gillin was named All-East five times in the steeplechase and distance medley relays. He earned numerous accolades as an All-Yankee Conference selection and All-New England pick in both indoor and outdoor track in a variety of events including the mile, steeplechase, 5000 meters and a variety of relays.
Gillin set the UMass record in the steeplechase (8:44.6), which still stands to this day. That mark produced a second-place finish at the IC4A Championships. He also won the New England Steeplechase championship three years in a row.
Gillin competed in the NCAA Championships in the indoor distance medley relay in 1975 and outdoor steeplechase in 1974, placing fifth nationally.
Following graduation, Gillin remained involved in cross country and track and field in numerous ways, including as the boys and girls cross country and track & field teams at Sutton High School in Sutton, Mass.
He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2010.
