Maureen Harty Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Maureen Harty Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
North Central College's Bill Warden has been selected for the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame, Class of 2025. Warden, a prominent figure in the college's basketball history, was the first All-American in the program and earned NAIA national honors during his junior year.
Warden played from 1951 to 1955 and set several records that still stand today, including career points (2,249), points per game (28.5), and field goals made (847). In the 1953–54 season, he achieved an average of 20.8 rebounds per game. He was a four-time All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin selection and made history as the first NAIA player to average over 30 points per game in multiple seasons. His No. 14 jersey was retired after his final home game where he scored 39 points against Kalamazoo.
Post-graduation, Warden declined an offer from the Minneapolis Lakers to serve two years in the U.S. Army before joining Caterpillar Tractor Co. in the National Industrial Basketball League. He later had a successful coaching career at Morgan Park High School, leading them to an IHSA Class 2A Boys Basketball State Championship in 1976. Returning to North Central as head coach in 1981, he achieved a school-record of 204 wins over 16 seasons and led the team to CCIW championships three times.
Warden was inducted into North Central College Athletics Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 2004 and is also part of the Basketball Museum of Illinois Hall of Fame as both player and coach.
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