Southview to Gettysvue

Bill Schmidt discusses his new memoir Southview to Gettysvue, which begins with his childhood growing up in the small Appalachian Pennsylvania coal camp Southview. Though he suffered from family tragedy and personal struggles his interest in sports helped create a path forward. After graduating from college he made the 1972 US Olympic team and won the bronze medal for the javelin throw. Bill parlayed his success into sports marketing and served as the Sports Director for the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, President for Sports at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and Vice President of Worldwide Sports Marketing at Gatorade. His perseverance provides the core of Bill’s message of determination and testimony to dreams coming true.

The program is presented by the East Tennessee Historical Society and is and free and open to the public. The lecture will begin at noon at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville. Guests are invited to bring a “Brown Bag” lunch.