Bill Spratt, a triple threat halfback, amassed 3733 yards from scrimmage over a three-year period for SCHS. During that span from 1949 to 1951, the Wildcats had a combined record of 20-6-1.

The 1952 graduate, whose rushing and passing yardage totaled 1682 in his junior year, keyed Salem’s 8-1 record in 1950. Spratt scored 127 points that year. As a sophomore in 1949, when Salem tied for the North Egypt Conference title, the Wildcats had a 7- 1-1 record, Spratt rushed for 700 yards and scored 48 points.

In his three-year high school career, he rushed for 2455 yards and passed for 1278. Spratt also handled the punting chores and during his senior year, he caught four passes for an additional 43 yards. In three seasons, he scored 240 points.

He also lettered in track and basketball and set a shot put record of 49′ 11-3/4″. Selected to the All-Conference team in his junior and senior years, Spratt received All-State honors his senior year and honorable mention his junior year. He played in the Illinois North-South Game in 1951.

Spratt attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he participated in football, wrestling and baseball, lettering from 19521957 in all three sports. In 1957, he was presented SIU’s Bob Beturia Award for “sports accomplishments beyond and above.” He also signed a professional contract with the New York Giants of the NFL in 1957.

After graduation, Spratt spent 13 years coaching track, wrestling, football and basketball in Louisiana, and was president of the Louisiana State Wrestling Association in 1968. That year, he coached the Louisiana Class “A” Champs, and in 1969 was coach of the State Wrestling Champs in the 110 and 17o-pound divisions.

Spratt’s twin brothers, Derald and Gerald, and older brother Al also attended SCHS.