Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

William Fagenson

During his years at Detroit’s Central High School, Bill was an avid – and recognized – athlete: he earned an honorable mention as an All City baseball player, led the varsity basketball team to the city championship, and ran cross-country. He also played basketball at the former JCC on Woodward. Bill’s athletic prowess continued at Wayne State University where he was the baseball team’s leading hitter his junior and senior years. Bill taught physical education in Detroit public schools and at UCLA. Bill returned to Detroit where he continued to teach physical education before earning a master’s degree in 1968 at which time he became a guidance counselor. During the 1960s, Bill continued to teach and mentor young athletes. He founded Trailblazer Day Camp, a sports camp for boys, with the goal of teaching and developing their athletic skills in baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and fishing. Bill also worked at the Jewish Community Center on Meyers Avenue and on 10 Mile supervising the athletic programs for children and young adults. Inducted 2017.