Guide to the Bill Zorn Papers, 1916–1987
Last Updated
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, 15-017
Collection Number: Archives Series 393
Creators: Zorn, Bill (1899–1987)
Title: Bill Zorn Papers
Dates: 1916–1987
Quantity: 8.55 linear feet (15 archives boxes, one ½ record carton and one oversize box)
Location of Collection: D8/2e-D8/2g, 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. Includes artifacts such as awards, certificates, diaries, scrapbooks, ticket stubs and team photographs.
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.
Processing Note: Processed by Andrea Stepanik in October 2009.
Arrangement: By series.
OCLC #: 21087026
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 for Eau Claire State Teacher’s College and Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire
ca. 1930’s–1950s
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
8/6
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
10/7
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, 1931–1932, 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, 6/4-6/8, 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
17
Trophies/awards: to WSU-EC For service to Boy Scouts of America (1965); Boy Scouts of America (1965); Metal Cup “W.L. Zorn Member, Mr. Mc’s Gang, N.A.I.A. President, 1954–1955”; Angel Statue: “In Honor of Bill Zorn for his outstanding records at Waite Good Luck Bill Your W Boys 27–28”
1928–1965
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: 1929-1987
Extent: .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
12/8
Zorn Exhibit Material (Rick Pifer)
1987