Maddock staying active in retirement

By Anna Petersen
Communications ’20

For some, retirement is a time to relax. Others, like retired professor and coach Bill Maddock, stay as busy as ever.

Maddock, who retired at the end of the fall 2018 semester, came to Trine 21 years ago after serving as director of tennis at the YMCA in Battle Creek, Michigan, for 14 years.

He also had worked as tennis coach at Albion College, and came to Trine as a coach hoping to build its swimming and tennis programs. The campus at the time had a pool in Hershey Hall but no swimming program.

Maddock helped create a successful aquatics program, but it eventually was cut due to issues with maintaining the pool, which was closed in 2002. He also coached golf for a time.

He also began teaching and loved it. He split his time between classes in the exercise science and sports management programs, and served as chair of the Ketner School of Business for 10 years.

He felt Principles of Sport and Recreation management — which covers the business side of sports — was one of the most beneficial classes for students, but said he enjoyed teaching History of Sports the most.

“The history of how different sports have progressed is very intriguing,” he said.

His many fond memories on campus include seeing the students he has worked with thriving as he helped them “find their passion and then pursue it.”

“Following your passion is the key to life,” he said. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Retirement recognitions included a surprise celebration at Caruso’s with 16 former students/athletes ­­— some of whom he hadn’t seen in years — and emeritus recognition during the Commencement Breakfast on May 4.

Maddock plans to continue following his passions in retirement. He enjoys teaching others about healthy lifestyles by writing articles, and lives by the motto “the more time you spend on the couch, the more you look like a potato.”

He gives private tennis lessons and organizes tennis clinics for area high schools. He is an active member of the Steuben County YMCA Board and one of the founders of Shape Up Steuben. As part of his work with Shape Up Steuben, he has been working to raise money to build the new disc golf course in Angola, which opened this summer.

Photo: Bill Maddock, center, is honored with professor emeritus status by Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president, left, and John Shannon, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs.