Bill Drover (Builder 2002)
For his dedication, devotion and enthusiasm for the sport of volleyball, the NLVA, is honoring Bill Drover, as a builder, by inducting him into the Hall of Fame.
Bill graduated from Memorial University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Physical Education and Bachelor of Education. Later he received a Masters degree from the same institution. He is married and has 3 children, 2 girls and a boy – all of whom played volleyball for their dad.
Bill was introduced to volleyball while a student at Ascension Collegiate where he played from 1964-1967. After leaving high school he played just one year for Memorial before joining the Varsity wrestling team.
He began his coaching career in 1971 while teaching at Gander Collegiate. It was not until he moved to New Harbor and on to Ascension Collegiate, however, that he left an indelible mark on the sport of volleyball.
In a career that spanned 3 decades, Bill passed on his love for the game to countless young athletes. He took teams to B.C., Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and throughout the Maritimes. He hosted over 100 tournaments and attended countless others. For Bill, the game was fun to play, to coach and to watch.
His untiring efforts also brought champions. In 1987-88, he won the Boy’s and Girl’s AAAA High School Championships. Then again in 1988-89, he won the Girls AAAA High School Title. His boy’s team also won the NLVA Provincial Juvenile titles twice and the girls won once. Bill coached at every Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games from 1978-1998, winning a Boy’s gold medal and a Girl’s silver medal in 1986 games. Despite the traveling and coaching, Bill still found the time to become a fully certified Level 3 Coach.
While most coaches rested during the summer months, Bill ran a co-ed league in the Bay Robert’s area for 10 consecutive summers.
Bill was too energetic to focus only at the local level. Twice he served as President of the NLVA, 1981-1984 and again 1986-1987. He spent 5 years as secretary of the Association and one more year as CVA Director. From 1974-1999, Bill was a Provincial rated referee.
Bill’s effort did not go unnoticed. In 1984-85, he was awarded the Reg Soper Award by the NLVA. He was named Coach of the Year in 1985-86 and again in 1987-88. That same year, he was honored by the Newfoundland and Labrador High School Athletic Federation as Coach of the Year. He received the 3M Coaching Recognition Award in 1989. In 2000, he was further recognized, this time by his peers, receiving the Abitibi Price Recognition Award.
Bill summed up his attitude on the sport when he said, “win or lose, I got the same enjoyment from Volleyball!”
