Simonovich, Bill

Bill Simonovich – (1992)

 

BILL SIMONOVICH

Bill Simonovich believed there was a sport for every season and he became seasoned in most every sport as this multi-talented athlete moved through life.

The winters of ’41-’42-’43 were spent on the round-ball court at Lorain High on the varsity basketball team. Each season Bill improved and his senior year he matured as a sparkling ball handler and assist leader with a 14 point average PPG. He made First Team All-Lake Erie and repeated as a first teamer at the Kent Sectional as Lorain lost in the final game and failed to qualify for the Sweet Sixteen in Columbus.

During his Army service, Bill starred with the Camp Perry Quintet, leading the team with a 23 PPG average against Ohio College and Service Fives. When they met national power Bowling Green in 1945, they were soundly trounced, 102-68, however, Bill scored 32 points. Playing for Camp Atterbury, top team in the Fifth Service Command in 1946 and meeting Purdue, Notre Dame, Indiana, DePauw and other top-notch teams, Bill averaged 14 PPG.

Returning from service, Bill played with the Amherst Rockets as a semi-pro against barnstorming pro-teams, in the late 40’s and early 50’s. He became player-manager with Huszti’s Cafe in the Class A League in 1951 and won city titles from 1951 through 1954 and again in 1958. YMCA and Lorain County Togas were added in 1952 and 1953.

After World War II, the spring and summer brought fast pitch softball with the Clearview Vets which became the Sobel Jewelers. At the same time, Bill pitched exhibition ball in Sandusky and with General Motors in Elyria.

Hurling for Amvets Post 47 in 1947, Bill pitched two wins on the last day of the Amvets State Tournament to propel his team to the State Championship. Later he hurled for Nickoloff Contractors in the tough Lakewood Elks League. While playing with numerous city, county and district champions over the years, Bill pitched one perfect game and three no-hitters.

The Simonovich fall program did not begin until Bill was a senior. He lettered on the 1942 Steelers as they went 8-1-1. After the war, he lettered as a freshman at Toledo University. When the season ended Bill quit school to marry his high school “sweetheart,” Mary Ellen Flaherty. He remained close to football officiating high school games for eight years and coaching Lorain St. Marys freshman football and basketball for six years. He was very proud of Don Bonko, Jim Lawhead, Fred Churchill and many more of his athletes.

After basketball had dimmed and he had reached the august of his life, Bill took up bowling in Class “C”. He moved to Major “B” with Huszti Cafe and bowled one year in the Andorka Classic League. His highest average was 189. At the present time he is carrying an average of 179. He bowled on title teams in Major “B”, UPC Leagues and U.S. Steel Management League. Bill loves his winter bowling!

Although, Bill caddied at Spring Valley Country Club when he was young, he never played golf until he left softball. Within five years Bill established a one handicap for nine holes in two leagues. He was runner-up in ’59 and ’62 Class “A” City Tournament and runner-up in ’64 Class “AA” Lorain County Championship. He played on championship teams of ’62, ’66, ’68 in the Lorain City League, Amvets League ’60, ’70, U.S. Steel Management ’66, ’77, ’79, ’83. Along the way he won a number of individual trophies and capped it off in 1990 winning the Seniors County Championship. Presently carrying a four handicap in two leagues, Bill has carded four holes-in-one, the most recent last year on the 8th hole at Forest Hills Golf Club. He loves his golf in the spring-the summer-the fall and the winter. He loves his golf!!

Now residing on Mildred Ave. in Lorain, Bill retired from the U.S. Steel in October 1983. With Mary Ellen, he raised three girls, Mary Jo, Carol and Janet and three boys, Michael, B.J. and Don who died from a brain aneurysm in 1985.