Wilis O. Hunter (2005) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Wilis O. Hunter

Induction:
2005

Willis O. Hunter–who built USC from obscurity to a national power in athletics–was USC’s longest-serving athletic director, holding that position for 32 years (1925-57). Known as Bill, he was one of the nation’s most popular and respected athletic directors of his day. During his tenure, Troy won its first 26 national team championships. He also coached the Trojan baseball team in 1921 and the men’s basketball team in 1922, and was a football assistant from 1919 to 1936. He was USC’s director of intramural athletics from 1922 until becoming athletic director. He attended Oberlin, where he played football, baseball and basketball. He then coached football at Polytechnic High in San Francisco and was an assistant supervisor of physical education for the Los Angeles City School system before coming to USC. A naval officer in both World War I and II, he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Association, served on the U.S. Olympic Games Committee in 1936-48-52-56-60 and was on the organizing team when the Games were held in Los Angeles in 1932. He also held various posts with the NCAA, including on the Football Rules Committee and the Television Committee. He was general chairman of the Los Angeles Coliseum Relays and helped bring the NCAA track and field championships to the Coliseum in 1934-39-49-55. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame. He died on Nov. 8, 1968, at age 76.