University of Wisconsin La Crosse Athletics

Athlete: 1947-1952

    Basketball remains important to William Knapton. While at La Crosse, the Bloomer native lettered in the sport three times and was team captain his senior year. Knapton also played baseball three years and was captain of the team in 1952.

    After graduation, he taught and was head basketball coach at Stevens Point High School until 1954, the year his boys team captured the state title. From 1954-1957, he was an assistant basketball coach at Marquette University. In 1957, he was named head basketball coach at Beloit College, where through the 1988-89 season he had compiled a 442-233 record and brought home eight Midwest Conference championships. Knapton also served as the college's athletic director from 1975-1985.