Bill Collick receives 2023 Jefferson Award
Cape Region icon, educator and mentor Bill Collick was recognized with a Jefferson Award during a surprise ceremony March 16 at West Side New Beginnings in the West Rehoboth Community Center.
Collick was lured to the event by Diaz Bonville, president and co-founder of West Side New Beginnings Community Center Inc., who invited him under the guise that he would be speaking about the importance of education.
As Collick began addressing the packed house from the podium, WBOC broadcast/video journalist Kirstyn Clark emerged from a side door to present the honor to an astounded Collick, who told the audience he was blessed and appreciative.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, gave Collick a proclamation from the Delaware General Assembly that would also be placed in the archives noting Collick’s remarkable service to the community and volunteer work with students.
The Jefferson Awards are presented annually by WBOC to recognize Delmarva citizens who provide extraordinary public service.
A Cape Henlopen School District school board member since 2019, Collick serves on the district building and grounds and health and wellness committees.
Collick is also board president of Pathways to Success, and he mentors at several district schools to help students with reading and math. Through the years, he has volunteered in charitable organizations including United Way of Delaware, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware, Habitat for Humanity, and Children & Families First.
After 43 years in education, Collick retired in June 2018 from the Cape Henlopen district, where he ended his career as the Cape High football coach and dean of students.
Early in his career, he taught at Rehoboth Elementary, then coached football at Delaware State University for nearly 20 years, where he amassed the most coaching wins in football history and served as director of athletics.
Collick is a member of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference, Delaware Sports Museum, Delaware State University and Delaware Afro-American Sports halls of fame, and he was previously named coach of the year in the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference and the Henlopen Conference.
