When speaking with legendary Southwestern track coach Freeman Marr, a spirited conversation always arises when he’s asked, “How fast could Bill Taylor have run the 440 yard dash if he had raced on the high-tech, synthetic tracks quarter-milers use today?” Bill never let the weather or the condition of the track slow him down. It didn’t matter whether he was in lane seven or lane one, or even if an opposing runner was in the same lane, Bill Taylor ran fast.
Bill Taylor was Southwestern’s first great quarter-miler and the first Lynx sprinter to break 50 seconds in the 440 yard dash. In every track meet, Bill would first compete in the high jump and long jump, then he would run the 440. After winning the quarter, he would rest for 30 minutes, then win the 220. Then he’d take a short break before anchoring the Mile Relay. During his career, Bill set the 440 yard dash record of 49.9, an event he won in the Tennessee Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Championships three times. Bill’s teammates voted him captain of the track team his junior and senior years.
Bill was not one to sit around and wait for track season to begin. He was usually in good shape for track because he played basketball for the Lynx for four years. He also served as chairman of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Bill was tapped by Omicron Delta Kappa for his academic and athletic success, as will as his role as a student leader on campus. He was selected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
Upon graduating from Southwestern in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Bill enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where he earned his medical degree. For the past 30 years he has been recognized as one of Shelby County’s leading physicians.
Bill’s teammates often speak of his athletic achievements, but they are quick to point out that Bill possesses the highest degree of character and integrity of anyone they know. In recognition of being a Dean’s List student, a record-setting sprinter, and an inspirational leader to his classmates, coaches, and teammates, Rhodes inducts, WILLIAM WOOD TAYLOR to the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame, this 25the day of October, 2002.
