Bill Cleary
Bill Cleary
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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William Joseph "Bill" Cleary Jr.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: March 15, 1928
Died: August 3, 2019 (age 91)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American ice hockey player, coach, and executive
Early Life and Background
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Bill Cleary was born on March 15, 1928, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Growing up in a family of modest means, Cleary learned the value of hard work and dedication from an early age. His father, William J. Cleary Sr., was a hockey player himself and instilled in his son a love for the sport.
Cleary's natural talent on the ice was evident from a young age. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he excelled as a hockey player. This achievement earned him a scholarship to Harvard University, where he continued to hone his skills as a member of the Harvard Crimson hockey team.
Major Accomplishments
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Three-time All-American at Harvard University (1950-1952)
Captain of the 1951 and 1952 Harvard hockey teams
Inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987
Member of the American Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Notable Works or Actions
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Cleary's coaching career spanned over three decades, during which he guided several prominent college and professional teams. Some notable highlights include:
Assistant coach for the United States national hockey team at the 1960 Winter Olympics
Head coach at Boston University (1952-1975) and Harvard University (1976-1984)
* General manager of the Boston Blazers of the World Hockey Association
Impact and Legacy
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Bill Cleary's impact on American ice hockey extends far beyond his impressive coaching career. His commitment to developing young players, promoting grassroots programs, and fostering a sense of community within the sport has left an indelible mark.
Cleary's influence can be seen in the many coaches, players, and executives he mentored throughout his career. He was known for his ability to connect with athletes from all walks of life, often taking a genuine interest in their personal growth alongside their athletic development.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Cleary's enduring legacy is also attributed to the countless stories and quotes he shared throughout his life. His wit, wisdom, and passion for hockey have inspired generations of players, coaches, and fans alike. His commitment to "building people" rather than just winning games has made him a beloved figure in the world of ice hockey.
When reflecting on Cleary's impact, it becomes clear that his influence extends far beyond the rink. He has left behind a legacy of sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication – qualities that continue to inspire athletes, coaches, and fans today.
Quotes by Bill Cleary
I can't think of a time that has happened to us. They were good looks at the basket. The opportunities were there.
It's the hand that's dealt us and they have to play us too, so it's a two-way street whether or not they have more motivation than we do and I don't think so. The championship is on the line and, if we have to go out there two, three or four times, we have to beat them and they feel the same way about us.
It might impact us a little, but as a school you can't let it bother you. The bottom line is that if we play well, people will come out and see us. It doesn't matter all that much who we are playing, like I said, if we win football games, the fans will come out.
It's a game-time decision. If she makes it through (practice Thursday) we might be able to see her.
We didn't have the depth that we had last year, but we had some kids who had really great seasons.
You have to really stay focused. One of the things that helped us get to this point is that people really played us tough all year. We had to play the best we could to face the challenges of the regular season.
When we play the bigger schools, it tends to elevate her game. We'll play teams that come in and say, 'Oh, they're just a Class A school,' Then, they realize we're here to play and this won't be a cakewalk.
We definitely missed Brittany, but I thought the kids really responded well and put together a nice, solid basketball game. We started a little sluggish in the first quarter and that's to be expected because we only found out at 4 o'clock before the game that Brittany would not play.