William L. Drake (1996) - Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame

William L. Drake

Induction:
1996
Class:
1975

A four-year letterman in swimming, Bill Drake co-captained the 1974-75 team and set school and conference records in the 200-yard backstroke. Winner of the 200 back at the Middle Atlantic and East Coast Conference meets for three straight years, he also won the event at the East-West meet in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in 1974 and was undefeated at the distance in 16 straight dual meets as a junior and senior. Drake won four individual events and was on seven winning relays at conference championship meets during his career, while seven of the victories were in record times. He also competed on three relay teams in the NCAA meet in 1975. The 1973-74 Bison team was undefeated against the likes of Pitt, Penn State, Cornell, Syracuse and Army, and Drake was on teams that had a 36-6 record and won four straight conference championships. Co-winner of the Christy Mathewson Award as the outstanding senior athlete, he was also twice an All-East goalie in water polo and the 1974 Bison team, which still had "club" status, won the Eastern Championship. Drake came to Bucknell from Exton, Pa., and was a graduate of The Hackley School.
(Bucknell Hall of Fame Class of 1996)