BATES ALUMNI ICE HOCKEY AWARD

Bill Quigley '79, Club President from  1976 to 1979, was elected by his team mates to receive posthumously the award in its inaugural year for his contributions to the Bates Ice Hockey Club.  The award certificate text below was written by some of Bill's team mates:

This Bates Alumni Ice Hockey Award will be annually presented by team mates to the man and woman who exhibit the qualities Dick Williamson shared with all of us: leadership, spirit, skill, dedication, humor, and sportsmanship, both on and off the ice.

The inaugural Bates Alumni Ice Hockey Award is presented, posthumously, to William Quigley '79. Bill's energy and dedication reinvigorated the hockey program during his four years at Bates.  His hockey skills paid immediate dividends to the team as soon as he stepped onto the ice. There was a confidence in knowing Bill was out there to cover up for some of the inevitable slip-ups that might occur by his sometimes skill-challenged teammates.  However, it was not just on the ice that Bill contributed to the hockey club.  As a team member and ultimately, President of the hockey club, Bill spent many hours scheduling games, raising funds, ordering equipment, advocating for a hockey rink, recruiting students who could play hockey, and many other things that went unnoticed.  These tedious activities kept the program going from day to day.  Most notably, it was Bill's spirit that helped create the momentum to keep the hockey team alive through those tentative years.  The hockey club gained fans and respect by assembling a team that played hard and won games against quality opponents, to a great degree due to Bill's vigilant efforts.  The club's spirit-filled reputation persisted through the years such that the program grew in recognition, and eventually an ice rink was built in support of the team.  Bill's enthusiasm and love of the game were fundamental to the revival of the team in the seventies, and to its long-term success.  Bill's legacy is in the ongoing success and spirit of the Bates ice hockey club.

These words by Chris Callahan '78, Bill's teammate for three years and captain of the team in 1978, say it best:
"All I had to do for all these great times, and I suspect the same for the rest of us, was to show up. The practices were arranged, new uniforms and helmets purchased, sticks provided, games scheduled, rides organized, refs called, a budget secured and accounted for, bail money obtained, and end of the year gifts provided for the coaches, the Zamboni driver, the rink manager, and for referees. Billy Quigley did it all. One of my fondest memories was of the team skating together over to the Zamboni where Bill delivered the driver's present.  The old man was extremely pleased to think we had remembered and appreciated him and counted him a friend of the team. Bill was that kind of thoughtful.  I never heard Bill mention to anyone that he had done any of this. It all got done by Bill the club president. I really didn't know the president very well.  I knew Bill Quigley the very solid defenseman and loyal teammate.  Looking back at that '76-'77 team photo and seeing Casey, Quinn, Pennoyer and Quigley, it is clear that the only reason we ever won any games was because of that defense. I look forward to skating with Bill again someday. Thanks for everything Bill."

Presented this January 15th, 2005 to the family of Bill Quigley, with our greatest respects, fondest memories, and gratitude.

-Bates College Ice Hockey Reunion Team 2005