Billy Sheridan was a wrestler of legendary stature in his native Scotland in the early years of the 20th Century, but it was as coach at Lehigh University that he earned lasting renown.

At the age of 19, in 1905, he won the Scottish wrestling crown at nine stone, or 126 pounds. Wrestling eight or nine times a week without ever losing a bout, he reigned as featherweight and lightweight champion of the British Isles until 1908.

He then emigrated to Ontario, Canada, but two years later moved to Philadelphia. To earn some extra money, he agreed to pose for the famous sculptor, Tait McKenzie, at the University of Pennsylvania, and chanced to observe the wrestling team in action. Unable to resist involvement, he offered suggestions and was invited to serve as coach and trainer. In 1911, he was recommended to Lehigh in a similar role.

Thus began his famed coaching career. It lasted 40 years, until his retirement in 1952, and produced 223 dual meet victories, only 83 losses and seven ties. In those four decades, he developed 59 Eastern Intercollegiate champions, five NCAA champions, five National AAU titlists and three Olympians. He also coached winning teams in soccer and lacrosse.

In 1936, he was an alternate coach for the United States Olympic team, and in 1951 was both coach and manager for the United States entry in the first Pan American Games. He refereed every bout in the first National Collegiate wrestling tournament in 1928.

Sheridan was the founder of the first summer wrestling camp in the United States in 1935. His coaching philosophy is summed up: "Whatever you do, do quickly."

For his profound influence on the sport of wrestling as a coach and teacher for four decades, William "Billy" Sheridan is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.