BILL HELFRECHT
Football and Baseball, 1967-71
Inducted March 1, 1986
 
Bill Helfrecht was a two-sport standout for SMSU, lettering for the football Bears of Coaches Jim Mentis and Don Cross in 1967, 1968, and 1969; and for the baseball Bears of Coach Bill Rowe from 1968 through 1971.  The native Springfieldian led the football Bears in rushing from his fullback spot in the 1969 season and he wound up with career totals of 687 yards rushing and 16 pass receptions.  Helfrecht was also a four-year starter in centerfield for the baseball Bears, setting a record by playing in 125 consecutive games over his four year career.  He led the Bears in runs scored as a junior and senior, led the team in hits his last two seasons, doubles as a sophomore and junior, and is the only player ever to lead SMSU in stolen bases four seasons in a row.  He shares the SMSU record for single season fielding percentage at 1.000.  He was a standout on the 1969 SMSU MIAA championship team which went on to capture runnerup honors in the NCAA College Division World Series at Meador Park.  The Bears came back the following years to repeat the MIAA title and finished third in the national meet.  Helfrecht then put together a banner senior season as he batted .391 to gain selection to the MIAA all-conference first team, selection as the Bears’ Most Valuable Player, and recognition as a first team All-American in Division II.  He graduated with a number of SMSU single season and career records, and now, 15 years after the conclusion of his playing career, Helfrecht is still in the top 10 on the all-time list in nine different SMSU offensive categories.