While attending Amherst Central High School, Bill Linkner was Section 6 wrestling champion while also earning all-county honors in football as a guard and linebacker.

While at Brockport State, Bill was voted Little All-American as a guard and linebacker. Brockport did not have a collegiate wrestling program, but Bill wrestled in numerous tournaments, either winning or placing in all of them.

Bill’s coaching career began in 1961 in Upstate Hilton and he moved to Hempstead High School in 1962. In 1963, Bill became the head wrestling coach at Valley Stream South High School. After a runner-up finish in his first season, he led his team to 14 consecutive league championships while compiling a career record of 183-24-4, including 76 consecutive league wins.

He retired from coaching in 1978 so that he could watch his own boys, Bud and Greg, wrestling at Southside High School for Mike Davey.

Bill became Valley Stream South’s Athletic Director in 1978 and was inducted into Brockport’s Hall of Fame in 1989. He was athletic director until his retirement in 1995.

Bill also coached varsity and junior varsity football all 33 years he was at Valley Stream South.