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William P. Sherman
William (Bill) Sherman
was originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, he played football in high
school taking St. Joseph to the state champions as their quarterback.
He was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University where he played
varsity football and received a B.S. degree (Physical Education and
Mathematics). He then earned a Masters Degree in Education from the
University of Arkansas. The former Marine Corps Captain moved to
Michigan (1953) after serving in Korea.
Bill was a dedicated
professional and contributed to the recreation and park profession in
Michigan for 40 years. The majority of this time was spent working for
the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA). His association with
the HCMA began in 1957 when, as a Roseville school teacher, football,
basketball and baseball coach, he spent the summer working as a
recreation supervisor at Metro Beach. He then became Park
Superintendent at the Metro Beach (1968), Deputy Director of the HCMA
system (1985) Director of the HCMA (1984). He was responsible for 13
Metroparks, 23,300 acres including over 10 million yearly visitors.
When you talk to people
in our profession about Bill he is described as a true Renaissance Man.
He was the “Public Policy” person, others say he was the Aquatics guru,
others mention him as a phenomenal resource on park maintenance issues
and others mention his devotion to the Cultured Arts.
As a leader of the HCMA
Bill was both and innovator and renovator, this was demonstrated through
several highlights of his professional and volunteer accomplishments.
His professional accomplishments included the partnership- “Program in
the Parks” with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, funded by J.L. Hudson
(crowds of 17,000); Detroit Metropolitan Area Youth Fitness Meet held at
Metro Beach (7 times), 2,500 meet contestants, 50 communities
represented, 350,000 competitors began competition in their respective
communities; established the first “In the Water Boat Show”, in US,
recently celebrated 24 years, still maintains popularity. He also
brought to the HCMA the “Adventure Boat Program” using voyager canoes
and the “Dixie Bell” at Metro Beach. A major renovation was the
installation of restroom facilities with flushing toilets, tiled floors
and sinks with running water for all HCMA areas.
Bill was instrumental
in implementing new facilities and areas such as: Marshlands Museum and
Nature Center, Washtego Pond Activities Complex at Willow Park, new
park- Wolcott Mill, activities building at Metro Beach and four golf
courses. However he is most pleased with the result of his testifying
before the U.S. Congress resulting in a $2,500,000 grant for hiking and
biking trails. These trails now extend from Metro beach through many
McComb County communities.
His volunteer
accomplishments are as varied as his professional accomplishments
including serving as Past President of the Roseville Rotary Club, Board
Member of St. Thecla School, Detroit Area Council- Boy Scouts of
America- Member at Large and from 1994 to present he has been chair of
the Clinton Township Parks and Recreation Committee.
Bill was strongly
committed to involvement in state, regional and national professional
organizations. He has been a member of MRPA for 32 years, served as
Board Member, Chair and member of the Legislative Committee and Chair
and member of the Cultural Arts Committee; a member of Northeast
Recreation and Park Association (28 years) Served as President an on
various committees; Special Parks District Forum (28 years) initiated
concept, shared ideas with members, coordinated national meeting in HCMA
Facility. Recognized for having a broad understanding of our profession
as a whole he was invited to make presentations at both the NRPA and
MRPA conferences and frequently made presentations at Michigan State
University and Wayne State University.
The awards that he
received that were most important to him were: the MRPA Fellowship
Award, the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Fitness Fellowship Award, the Past
President Roseville Rotary Club and initiation into Phi Delta Kappa-
national professional education fraternity.
WILLIAM P. SHERMAN IS A
PROFESSIONAL WE ALL ASPIRE TO BE, A COMMITTED AND RESPONISBLE SERVANT
WHO IS INVOLVED IN ALL AREAS OF RECREATION AND PARK SERVICES, AN
INNOVATOR, A COLLABATOR, A TEACHER AND A LEADER.
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