This is the second in a series of articles profiling 2024 Freeport Area inductees into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame

FREEPORT — A multi-letter winner in baseball and basketball in high school, Bill Hancock made sure his athletic career didn’t end there.

The 1960 Dayton High School graduate served four years in the Navy and played basketball, softball and football wherever he was stationed.

“There were teams at every base, intramural-type stuff, and I always played,” Hancock said. “I’ve always loved being involved in sports.”

Bill Hancock

At age 82, he still is.

Hancock coached the Pirates in Freeport Little League for more than 25 years. He’s worked wit the Freeport International Baseball Tournament for more than 20 years and is still involved in the latter today.

“I used to do a lot more, but now I pretty much announce the games and that’s it,” Hancock said.

His devoted career to Freeport baseball is gaining him induction into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame. Hancock will receive a special Builders award at the HOF’s annual banquet at 4 p.m. April 238 at Freeport’s Laube Hall.

“I’m deeply honored by this,” he said of his induction. “I’ve enjoyed helping out, just being around the game. I started coaching Little League when my youngest son was playing.

“When he was done playing, I enjoyed what I was doing so much, I just kept doing it.”

Freeport graduate Matt Sherrieb, also a member of this year’s Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame class, played on the first Little League team Hancock coached. Hancock’s teams won numerous league championships.

District 26 — of which Freeport was a part — formed two all-star teams each summer and Hancock helped coach them as well.

“There were 10 teams in our league back then,” Hancock said. “When I coached boys, I preached practice and discipline. I always thought both were important.”

With the Freeport International, Hancock helped prepare the fields, sell merchandise and perform other jobs to help the event run smoothly. He received the annual Mike Westerman Unsung Hero Award in 2014 for his commitment and contributions to the event.

A lifetime member of the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame, Hancock currently serves on the Board of Directors.

“I just like helping out, being there when they need me,” he said.

Tickets to the banquet cost $40 and can be purchased from board secretary Dennis Wolfe at 724-882-3557.