Name: Bill Bickhart
Sport: Cross Country, Track & Field
Position: Varsity Head Coach
At Wheaton Academy since: 1995
Non-Coaching Responsibilities: Head of P.E./Health Department, Athletic Support
(630) 562-7570
Coach Bill Bickhart is entering his 14th year as the head coach for the Wheaton Academy Cross Country and Track teams. He also works full time at Wheaton Academy as the Department Head for Physical Education, is the sponsor for the WA Live! program, and supports newly appointed Athletic Director Paul Ferguson in the athletic department. He came from Plumstead Christian School where he served as Athletic Director, Cross Country Coach and Track coach for 4 years. In all, Coach Bickhart has coached for 25 years.
Coach Bickhart talking about surging to
the Cross Country team on meet day. Starting in 1995 with a team of 10, Coach Bickhart has transformed the Wheaton Academy cross country program into perennial state contenders. Under the leadership of Bickhart, the varsity girls cross country team had a run of qualifying for the IHSA Class A State Race that lasted 9 straight years, starting in 1997. During the 9 year span, the girls won 4 regional championships and 3 sectional championships. Midway through this streak, the girls brought home three third place trophies (2000, 2001, 2002) and in 2001, came up 12 points short of winning the state championship. During this same stretch, the Varsity boys team has qualified for the state race a total of three times (2001, 2004, 2005). In all, Coach Bickhart has coached over 40 different athletes at the state level, including two all staters.
On the track side, Coach Bickhart has grown the track program, starting with the philosophy that it takes numbers to be successful. During the mid 1990’s, the track program had teams as small as 12, but the 2007 track season had over 60 athletes on the roster. Over the past 10 years, there have been over 15 state qualifiers from the boys and girls track programs, as well as three runners who have taken home all state honors in track and one individual state champion.
Coach Bickhart is married to Megan. They live in Wheaton and attend Wheaton Bible Church. They have three children - Will, Maggie, and Kelly.
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