William Mannisto - Class of 2020

(Bessemer)

An all-around athlete and coach, Mannisto earned eight letters in four sports at Bessemer High School and was MVP of the 1949 football team. He had a U.P. record 54.6 run in the 440-yard dash in 1950. He played basketball and ran track at Gogebic Community College, then after a two-year hitch in the Army, he went to Northern Michigan University and was MVP of the 1955-56 basketball team. He coached basketball at Suomi College for two seasons, then led Bessemer’s baseball team to the league title in 1961 and was the basketball coach at Hancock High School (85-42). He also assisted in football and track, spent four years as Hancock’s athletic director and five years as the city’s recreation director. He also officiated in four sports during the 1960s and 1970s.