Overview of the Collection
Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/
Reference Code: USGZE AS393
Accession Number: 89-061, 96-070
Collection Number: Archives Series 393
Creators: Zorn, Bill (1899-1987)
Title: Bill Zorn Papers.
Dates: 1916-1984
Quantity: 8.55 linear feet (15 archives boxes, one ½ record carton and one oversize box)
Location of Collection: E3/1f-E3/1h, A4/1c
Languages: Collection materials are in English.
Summary: Bill Zorn was a dean, athletic director and coach from 1928-1969 at the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. The collection includes personal and administrative files.
Biographical / Historical Note
Willis Lawrence “Bill” Zorn was a Dean of Men, athletic director and a celebrated coach of the UW-Eau Claire basketball and football teams. Zorn was born March 30, 1899, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He attended high school in Stevens Point, graduating in 1918. After high school, Zorn attended Stevens Point Normal School and enrolled in the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) during World War I. In 1920, he enrolled at the University of Chicago. On June 30, 1924, he married his high school sweetheart Virginia; they had one son, Bill Jr., and one daughter, Amy Lou.
After graduating from Chicago, Zorn took his first teaching position in 1924 at Hedding College in Abingdon, Illinois and in 1925 he accepted a position as the football coach at Waite High School in Toledo, Ohio. In 1928 he was hired by the Eau Claire State Normal School as a football and basketball coach. Zorn coached Blugold football until 1943 and continued to lead the basketball team for 40 years. Nicknamed “Mr. Enthusiasm,” he was known for his strong character and leadership both on and off the court. Zorn led the team to conference championships in 1938, 1939, 1955 and 1956, as well as the National Intercollegiate Basketball tournament in Kansas City in 1939, 1945, 1946, 1951 and 1956. When he retired as the basketball head coach in 1968, he had compiled a record at Eau Claire of 387-357. During his tenure at Eau Claire, Zorn was also the athletic director and dean of men. His responsibilities included overseeing the athletic program for the university and the supervision of male students, with duties including discipline, providing counsel, housing and other administrative duties. From March 1943 to June 1944, Zorn coordinated the Army Air Force and civilian pilot training program that was held on campus. In addition to his work at Eau Claire, from 1954-55 Zorn served as the president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and in 1958 was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He fully retired from the university in 1969 and passed away in 1987.
Content Description
The series includes biographical information and administrative files from Bill Zorn’s tenure as the Dean of Men, coach, and athletic director at the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire. The collection is divided into six subseries: Personal Files, University Administration and Student Life, Eau Claire Athletics, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Air Force Training Program, and newspaper clippings.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: Donated to the University Archives and Special Collections, University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire by Bill Zorn. Additions donated by Laurie Gapko in April 1996.
Access Restrictions: Box 1 is restricted. The rest of this series is open to the public. Contact Special Collections and Archives for information regarding access (715-836-2739).
Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire.
Preferred Citation: Bill Zorn Papers, 1916-1984. AS 393. Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.
Processing Note: Processed by Andrea Stepanik in October 2009.
Arrangement: By series.
Subjects
Personal Names: Zorn, Bill,
Corporate Names:
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire – Athletics
University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire – Faculty
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – History
Subject Terms:
College teachers – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
College administrators – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
College sports – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Basketball coaches – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Coaches (Athletics) – Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Detailed List of Contents
Series 1: Personal
Subseries contains Zorn’s personal papers, including correspondence, newspaper clippings, awards, speeches and other miscellaneous records. Also included are several photographs, including a large portrait of Zorn.
Dates: 1922-1984
Extent: 2.15 linear feet (1 archives box and one oversized box)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 11/1 | Eau Claire Resume | 1942-1969 |
Box/Folder 11/2 | Awards and Honors | 1954-1976 |
Box/Folder 11/3 | “Bill Zorn Night” Records | 1968-1970 |
Box/Folder 11/4 | “Mr. Enthusiasm” Personal Records | 1967-1968 |
Box/Folder 11/5 | Amos Alonzo Stagg Clippings and Correspondence | 1949-1962 |
Box/Folder 11/6 | Congratulation Telegrams | 1955-1956 |
Box/Folder 11/7 | Speech Notes and Misc. Stories | ca. 1965-1980 |
Box/Folder 11/8 | Humor Clippings and Correspondence | ca. 1930-1975 |
Box/Folder 11/9 | Personal Correspondence | 1913-1984 |
Box/Folder 11/10 | Speeches | undated |
Box/Folder 11/11 | Rotary Club Records | 1942 |
Box/Folder 11/12 | Miscellaneous | 1937-1957 |
Box/Folder 11/13 | Misc. Programs and Newsletters – Prior to Eau Claire | 1922-1926 |
Box/Folder 11/14 | Waite High School Newspaper Stories and Team Roster | 1925-1928 |
Box/Folder 16 | Diary – lists basketball and football notes, schedules and plays | ca. 1923-1929 |
Box/Folder 16 | Right hand fingerprints | 7/24/1946 |
Box/Folder 16 | Box of sporting event ticket stubs | ca. 1930’s |
Box/Folder 16 | Diary – includes hunting diary and list of anecdotal events and stories | ca. 1936-1972 |
Box/Folder 16 | Portraits of Zorn | undated |
Box/Folder | N. A. I. A. Award of Merit | 1954-1955 |
Box/Folder 16 | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame certificate | 1960 |
Box/Folder 16 | Bill Zorn Day framed comic strip | undated |
Series 2: University Administration and Student Life
Subseries contains records of Zorn’s tenure as the Dean of Men. The majority of the records document disciplinary action, housing, student life and organizations, Zorn’s membership of the Administration Committee and scholarship and loan materials. Materials in Box 1 are restricted.
Dates: 1935-1977
Extent: 2.95 linear feet (3 archives boxes and one oversized box)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 1/1, 1/4-1/16, 2/6, 2/15 | Student Disciplinary Action and Correspondence | 1944-1947, 1952-1969 |
Box/Folder 1/2-1/3 | Campus Staff and Faculty Disciplinary Action | 1946-1952 |
Box/Folder 2/1 | Federal Housing Project | 1946-1953 |
Box/Folder 2/2 | Housing Correspondence | ca. 1946-1967 |
Box/Folder 2/3 | Dr. Harry Student Affairs Correspondence | 1964 |
Box/Folder 2/4 | Housing Regulations | 1965-1969 |
Box/Folder 2/5 | Dorm Newsletters | 1968 |
Box/Folder 2/7 | Parking Problem | 1953 |
Box/Folder 2/8 | Miscellaneous Publications | ca. 1965-1968 |
Box/Folder 2/9 | Students for a Democratic Society | ca. 1967-1969 |
Box/Folder 2/10 | Frosh Forum | 1968-1969 |
Box/Folder 2/11, 2/14 | Discipline Guidelines | 1968-1969 |
Box/Folder 2/12 | Rehabilitation Foundation Guide for Alcoholism | 1967 |
Box/Folder 2/13 | Campus Safety and Welfare | 1967-1969 |
Box/Folder 2/16 | Wynot Alcoholic Treatment Center | undated |
Box/Folder 2/17 | Illegal Drug Information | 1968 |
Box/Folder 3/1 | Student Life Organizations and Events | 1961-1969 |
Box/Folder 3/2 | Cheerleading | 1966-1967 |
Box/Folder 3/3 | Organization Commission and Constitutions | ca. 1967-1969 |
Box/Folder 3/4 | Correspondence | 1968-1969 |
Box/Folder 3/5 | Selective Service | 1968-1969 |
Box/Folder 3/6 | Veteran Supplies | 1968 |
Box/Folder 3/7 | Fraternity and Alumni Association Newsletters | 1976-1977 |
Box/Folder 3/8 | Faculty Committee | 1955-1956 |
Box/Folder 3/9 | Wisconsin State Colleges Public Relations | 1956 |
Box/Folder 3/10 | Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire Foundation | ca. 1959-1963 |
Box/Folder 3/11 | Presidents Council | 1968 |
Box/Folder 3/12-3/13 | Scholarship and Loan Materials and Correspondence | 1938-1960 |
Box/Folder 3/14 | Trustee Endowment Fund Agreement | 1945-1956 |
Box/Folder 3/15 | “Stuffy” Culver Memorial Fund | 1956 |
Box/Folder 3/16 | National Defense Loan Fund | 1959-1960 |
Box/Folder 3/17 | Scholarship and Loan Fund Report | 1960 |
Box/Folder 3/18 | Athletic Scholarship Committee | 1962-1965 |
Box/Folder 16/1 | Student rally posters | undated |
Series 3: Eau Claire Athletics
Subseries contains records of Zorn’s athletic activities at Eau Claire. The majority of the documents focus on basketball records, including team rosters, plays, photographs, event programs, and statistics. Also, the series contains information on the athletics budget, the Wisconsin State College Athletic Conference, athletic awards, and football records. A wide variety of photographs are found throughout the subseries, including team, individual and action shots for basketball and football. In addition, there is a cassette tape recording of the 1977 Homecoming presentation including the “Mr. Enthusiasm” cheer.
Dates: 1916-1982
Extent: 4.55 linear feet (7 archives boxes and one oversized box)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 7/1-7/4 | Athletic Budget and Expenditures; MAA log of dues | 1931, ca. 1949-1967 |
Box/Folder 7/5 | Travel Vouchers | 1963-1969 |
Box/Folder 7/6 | Concession Expenses | ca. 1952-1965 |
Box/Folder 7/7 | Wisconsin State College Athletic Conference – History, Constitution, Game Schedules, Meeting Minutes and Correspondence | ca. 1924-1953 |
Box/Folder 7/8 | Intercollegiate Athletics Principles of Conduct | 1951-1954 |
Box/Folder 7/9 | WSUAC Activity Fee Survey | 1957 |
Box/Folder 7/10-7/11 | NAIA/WSUAC Meetings, Reports and Correspondence | 1960-1967 |
Box/Folder 8/1 | WSUAC Athletic Directors Meeting | 1966 |
Box/Folder 8/2 | Athletic Director Correspondence | 1966-1968 |
Box/Folder 8/3 | WSUAC Football Meetings and Reports | 1967 |
Box/Folder 8/4 | Athletic News Releases | 1967 |
Box/Folder 8/5 | Athletic Injuries – Reports and Expenditures | ca. 1953-1969 |
Box/Folder | Minneapolis Laker Game | 1955 |
Box/Folder 8/7 | “Dad’s Night” Planning and Letters | 1953-1965 |
Box/Folder 8/8 | Boosters Correspondence | 1957-1964 |
Box/Folder 8/9 | Letterman’s Club | 1952-1967 |
Box/Folder 8/10 | Hall of Fame | ca. 1970-1982 |
Box/Folder 8/11 | Ade Olson Tribute | 1969 |
Box/Folder 8/12 | New Athletic Appointments Correspondence | 1957, 1967-1968 |
Box/Folder 8/13 | Organization of Professional Baseball Student Paper | 1970 |
Box/Folder 8/14 | Basketball Prospectuses | 1951-1966 |
Box/Folder 9/1, 9/10 | Miscellaneous Basketball Scores, Plays Rosters and Handbooks | ca. 1955-1956, 1967 |
Box/Folder 9/2 | Converse Basketball Yearbooks | 1956-1958 |
Box/Folder 9/3 | Basketball Awards | ca. 1956-1968 |
Box/Folder 9/4-9/5 | Basketball Plays | ca. 1956-1966 |
Box/Folder 9/6 | Novak’s System of Basketball Handbook | 1950 |
Box/Folder 9/7 | Basketball Correspondence | 1955-1968 |
Box/Folder 9/8 | Basketball Statistics | 1962-1965 |
Box/Folder 9/9 | Basketball Player Prospects Correspondence | 1965-1967 |
Box/Folder 9/11 | Basketball News Releases | 1965-1967 |
Box/Folder 9/12 | Football Game Records | 1916-1965 |
Box/Folder 9/13, 10/1-10/4 | Football Plays | ca. 1927, 1931-1938 |
Box/Folder 10/5 | Pre-season Letters to Football Players | 1937-1940 |
Box/Folder 10/6 | Football Awards | 1948-1966 |
Box/Folder | Football Prospectuses | 1957-1965 |
Box/Folder 10/8 | Football Schedules | 1958-1967 |
Box/Folder 10/9 | Football Officials | 1959-1967 |
Box/Folder 10/10 | Football Correspondence | 1959-1967 |
Box/Folder 10/11 | Athletic Eligibility Proposal | ca. 1962-1967 |
Box/Folder 10/12 | Carson Park Football Stadium Addition | 1967 |
Box/Folder 10/13 | Locker Room Athletic Poems | ca. 1942 |
Box/Folder 12/7 | Recording of “Mr. Enthusiasm” cheer | 1977 |
Box/Folder 13/1-13/2, 13/4 | Football Photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/3 | Photograph negatives | ca. 1946-1947 |
Box/Folder 13/5 | Track photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/6 | Miscellaneous photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/7 | Homecoming photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/8 | Basketball team photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/9 | Basketball individual photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/10 | Basketball action photographs | undated |
Box/Folder 13/11, 14/1-14/9, 15/5 | Spalding’s Official Football Guides | 1916-1917, 1919, 1922, 1924, 1926-1927, 19311932, 1934-1938, 1940- 1941, 1945 |
Box/Folder 15/1 | Football Programs | ca. 1933-1966 |
Box/Folder 15/2-15/4 | Basketball Programs | ca. 1939-1972 |
Box/Folder 16/1 | Scrapbook – basketball and football action, individual and team shots, newspaper clippings | undated |
Box/Folder 16/1 | Wisconsin State College Athletic Conference Code of Ethics | undated |
Box/Folder 16/1 | Football team picture | undated |
Box/Folder 16/1 | Two large posters of newspaper clippings and basketball team photo | undated |
Series 4: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Subseries contains Zorn’s personal records, including correspondence, newspaper clippings, awards, speeches and other miscellaneous records. Also included are records of Zorn’s involvement with the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB).
Dates: 1944-1977
Extent: 2.55 linear feet (2 archives boxes and one oversized box)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 5/2 | NAIB Meetings | 1946-1949 |
Box/Folder 5/3, 5/5, 5/7, 6/1-6/2, 6/46/8, 7/10 | NAIA/NAIB Correspondence | 1949-1962, 1965-1969 |
Box/Folder 5/4, 5/6, 5/8, 6/3, 6/7-6/8 | NAIA Annual Meetings and Administrative Reports | 1952-1960, 1965-1969 |
Box/Folder 6/5 | NAIA Committee Handbook | ca. 1958-1959 |
Box/Folder 6/9 | NAIA Hockey National Tournaments and Correspondence | 1969-1970 |
Box/Folder 6/10 | NAIA Miscellaneous | 1970-1977 |
Box/Folder 6/11 | NAIA History, Newsletters and Constitution | ca. 1944-1976 |
Box/Folder 6/12-6/13 | NAIB – Correspondence, Executive Committee Minutes, Budget Reports and Membership | 1945-1954 |
Box/Folder 16/1 | NAIA Hall of Fame Award and three other awards | 1956-1964 |
Series 5: Air Force Training Program
Series contains records of the military training program that was housed on the Eau Claire campus from 1943-44. It includes enlistment forms and applications, correspondence, fitness guides and statistics, government property inventory and other records. A few photographs are also found in the subseries of recruits participating in the program.
Dates: 1941-1944
Extent: 0.4 linear feet (1 archives box)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 4/1 | “Value of Physical Fitness” Speech | 1942 |
Box/Folder 4/2 | Civilian Pilot Training Applications and Correspondence | 1942 |
Box/Folder 4/3 | Enlisted Reserve Student Records | 1942-1943 |
Box/Folder 4/4 | Enlisted Reserve Student Records | 1942-1943 |
Box/Folder 4/5 | Civilian Pilot Training Agreements/Press Releases | 1942-1943 |
Box/Folder 4/6 | Civilian Pilot Training Clothing Records | 1942-1943 |
Box/Folder 4/7 | 301st Air Corps Unit | 1944 |
Box/Folder 4/8 | Eau Claire Flying School | 1942-1943 |
Box/Folder 4/9 | Civil Aeronautics Administration - Misc. | 1941-1943 |
Box/Folder 4/10 | Physical Fitness and Recreation Program | undated [1943] |
Box/Folder 4/11 | Government Property | 1944-1945 |
Box/Folder 5/1 | Navy Pre-Flight School Physical Fitness Program | 1942 |
Series 6: Newspaper Clippings
Series contains newspaper clippings involving sporting and other university events involving Zorn.
Dates: 1929-1964
Extent: 0.2 linear feet (1 archives box)
Container | Contents | Dates |
Box/Folder 12/1 | Undated Newspaper Clippings | undated |
Box/Folder 12/2-12-6 | Newspaper Clippings | ca. 1929-1964 |
Box 12 | Zorn Exhibit Material (Rick Pifer) | 1987 |