About Inductee

Bill Michael was one of the city of Huntsvilles top athletes in the late 1940s and throughout much of the 1950s. A lifelong resident of the city and county, Michael was an all-around athlete who played football, basketball, baseball, softball and tennis. He was a running back on the football team at Huntsville High and played on the schools state championship team in 1946. Two years later, he played a key role in Huntsvilles 13-6 upset victory over previously undefeated Athens. Also in 1948, Michael was named All-TVC, was chosen as the co-captain of the football team and Most Athletic in his class. He was picked on coach Buck Hughes All-Time Football Team at right halfback. After high school, Michael signed a professional baseball contract with the Washington Senators. He was the only rookie chosen for the all-star team in the Alabama-Florida League. Michael later served in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Ky., where he continued playing baseball for the 101st airborne baseball team. In 1955, he played center field for the Huntsville Parkers, one of the states standout semi-pro baseball teams. The Parkers were state and regional champions that year and played in the national tournament at Wichita, Kan., defeating the No. 1 and No. 2 teams before going on to finish fourth in the nation. When Jim Mr. Baseball Talley picked his all-time baseball team for the city of Huntsville, Bill Michael was the center fielder. In 1960, Michael was voted the Most Valuable Player in the Huntsville Industrial Softball League, and in 1965, at the age of 34, played cornerback for Huntsvilles first professional football team, the Rockets, and had 14 interceptions during that year. Bill gives the credit for most of his athletic success to his parents and to his brother, Jim Michael, who always encouraged and supported him. Michael coached both men and women in softball after his retirement, winning many city and regional championships. His womens slow pitch team won the state title in 1974. Born May 3, 1931, Michael and his wife Val have two daughters, Tammy Findley and Debbie Lawing and one son, Tim, who is deceased.