BILL COKE CLASS OF 1974

F OOTBALL / H OCKEY

W RESTLING / P OLO

Bill Coke’s hard work on a dairy farm throughout his childhood prepared him well for an active and busy schedule at Lawrence Academy. His mentors, Ben Williams and Gordon Sewall ’67, taught him to apply his strong work ethic to academics and athletics at LA.

Bill, a remarkably well-rounded athlete, competed in a variety of sports while at Lawrence Academy. Prior to his arrival in Groton, Bill had never participated in organized hockey but grew up playing on local ponds. At LA, he played for Coach Bob Cullen, who was a fantastic hockey player and an intense and inspiring coach.

After two years on the team, he decided to try a new sport: wrestling. English teacher and coach Stephen Goldstein taught him how to wrestle. Perhaps influenced by his four-year sport, football, Bill didn’t dance around with his opponents but tackled them to the mat instead.

On the football team, Bill distinguished himself as captain and “one of the best football players ever,” according to his coach Gordon Sewall ’67. “He’s one of the finest I’ve ever seen because he goes to defense and has made 30 tackles.” Coach Sewall inspired Bill and the entire team to do their best.

Bill also enjoyed playing Lacrosse at LA and served as co-captain of the team.

Bill attended UMass Amherst, where he played football and lacrosse. A few years after graduating with a degree in business and finance, he began playing polo. He competed at the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, Mass., for over twenty years and sponsors the Chanticleer Farm Polo Team. A lifelong athlete, Bill enjoys water skiing, downhill skiing, horseback riding, running and tennis.

Bill and his wife, Wendy, have two sons and live in Topsfield, Mass. He is a managing director and wealth advisor at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. Bill is a Founding Board Governor of the UMass Club in Boston. He was on the Parents Council of the Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. and served two terms on the Board of Trustees at Lawrence Academy.

Bill treasures the relationships he formed on and off the field and believes that Lawrence Academy was the foundation of his personal and professional success.

Congratulations, Bill, on being inducted into the Class of 2024 LA Athletic Hall of Fame!