Hall of Fame
Bill Palka played basketball and baseball for the Flyers from 1955-1958. After transferring from Loyola University, Bill quickly established himself as one of the finest two-sport athletes in Lewis history. Bill was leading the 1956 basketball team in scoring, averaging close to 25 ppg, when a transfer eligibility problem arose and he was declared ineligible after sixteen games. He had already established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in Lewis history. The 1957 season saw Bill as an assistant coach where he helped guide the Flyers to a 12-11 season.
Palka also played baseball for the Flyers both as a shortstop and third baseman. Palka had a career .420 batting average for the Flyers. His name still remains in the Flyer record book for his tape measure home run estimated to be over 500 feet.
Palka signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians in 1956 and played in their minor league system for three years. In 1957 he led the entire Cleveland Indians organization, both at the major and minor league level, in hitting with a .352 batting average.
Bill is employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company as a plant manager. He and his wife Deborah have eight children and reside in Peoria, Illinois.
