IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
When coach Ralph Johnson began recruiting Upper Dublin High School swimmer Bill Kane, he received some welcomed assistance from his student manager—Judy Kane.
She convinced her younger brother to join her at IUP, where he became a nine-time NCAA Division II All-American. Kane finished in the top five nationally in the 100 backstroke three consecutive years, highlighted by a third place as a senior in 1978. He touched the wall in a personal-best 54.11 seconds, behind only champion Mark Doyle of Oakland (Mich.) and teammate (and 1996 IUP Athletic Hall of Fame inductee) Dan Deacon. Kane also earned All-America honors in the 200 backstroke, 200 individual medley and 800 freestyle relay during his career.
He claimed four of his All-America honors in 1977, when Johnson’s team finished ninth in the nation. Kane won numerous PSAC titles while at IUP and set multiple school and conference records.
He also played water polo for four years on IUP’s club team, twice winning league MVP honors and setting a single-game school record with 16 goals.
Another of Kane’s sisters, All-America swimmer Donna, preceded him into the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame (2010).
Director of quality assurance and regulatory compliance at Almac Clinical in Souderton, Kane resides in Maple Glen with his wife, Michelle. They have three children: Will, Kristen and Tom.
