University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
Bill MacConnell
- Induction:
- 2003
- Class:
- 1941
The founder of the school's men's and women's ski programs, Bill MacConnell led the Minutemen from 1961 through 2001, and the women's program from its inception in 1976 through the 2001 campaign. All-told, his teams captured 30 divisional titles, 18 men's and 12 women's.
The early years of the men's program were highlighted by second-place division and league finishes in both 1966 and 1967. From 1968 through 1986, a span of 18 straight seasons, MacConnell's program won its division every year, and after 1986, it ended either second or third in its division each year.
One of his top pupils, William Schaffer, finished sixth at the NCAA Championship in the giant slalom.
Under his leadership, the women's team captured 11 consecutive division titles from 1976 through 1986. Following that 10-year run, UMass added another division crown in 1991 and finished among the top three in its division eight times. In 2003, the Minutewomen captured the USCSA national championship for the first time ever.
MacConnell served as a professor in the UMass Forestry and Wildlife department from 1948 until his retirement in 1998, and served the department on a post retirement appointment.
MacConnell was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
The early years of the men's program were highlighted by second-place division and league finishes in both 1966 and 1967. From 1968 through 1986, a span of 18 straight seasons, MacConnell's program won its division every year, and after 1986, it ended either second or third in its division each year.
One of his top pupils, William Schaffer, finished sixth at the NCAA Championship in the giant slalom.
Under his leadership, the women's team captured 11 consecutive division titles from 1976 through 1986. Following that 10-year run, UMass added another division crown in 1991 and finished among the top three in its division eight times. In 2003, the Minutewomen captured the USCSA national championship for the first time ever.
MacConnell served as a professor in the UMass Forestry and Wildlife department from 1948 until his retirement in 1998, and served the department on a post retirement appointment.
MacConnell was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
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