(Apr. 13, 1897 – Dec. 20, 1957) “Big Bill” Steers made a name for himself at the University of Oregon as an all-around player and member of the 1920 Rose Bowl squad, and later earned national respect as a coach, educator and administrator.

Born in 1897, Steers grew up in The Dalles and reached the football program in Eugene in 1917. In 1919, after serving in the Marines during the 1918 season, Steers helped the Ducks win the Pacific Coast Conference title with a 5-2 record – earning a spot in the 1920 Rose Bowl. Oregon lost 7-6 to Harvard, but Steers scored the Ducks’ points on a pair of drop kicks. Legendary coach George Halas was named the game MVP for Harvard.

In 1920 he served as the team captain for a 3-2-1 squad. Steers earned All-PCC First-Team honors in three seasons, twice as a quarterback (1917 and ‘19), and as a guard in 1920.

After graduating, Steers played for the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club team before attaining a Master’s degree from Columbia in 1928. He coached the football team at Cal University – Pittsburgh from 1929-37 before returning to Columbia to earn a doctorate in physical education.

He served in the Navy in 1943-45, and led the project to build a recreation facility at Admiralty Island in the South Pacific.

Steers was head of the Physical Education program at Miami University in Florida prior to his passing at age 60.