Longtime NSU coach and AD William ‘Bill’ Archie dies at 92
Fred Jeter | 3/31/2022, 6 p.m.
William “Bill” Archie, a legendary coach and athletic director at Norfolk State University, died Saturday, March 19, 2022. He was 92.
Following an outstanding athletic career at West Virginia State College, now University, and coaching stints at his alma mater and at Southern University, Mr. Archie moved to NSU where he served in various capacities.
He was the NSU Spartans football coach from 1961 to 1966 and later served as NSU’s athletic director from 1970 to 1984. During his tenure, Mr. Archie built the Spartans into an NCAA Division II track and field powerhouse. His teams won the 1973
and 1974 NCAA titles and accumulated 16 CIAA crowns.
His athletes include Steve Riddick, who went on to run the anchor leg of the U.S. Olympic team’s gold medal-winning 4x100
relay team at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
In 1961, Mr. Archie started the first swim team at NSU while contributing to the planning and construction of the pool the
students use today.
Mr. Archie was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame, the NSU Hall of Fame and the National Association of Directors of Collegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
Survivors include his wife, Mayola “Bird” Archie; a son, William L. Archie Jr.; a daughter, Pamala K. Archie-Jones; and six grandchildren.
