start at Maple Lane Golf Course, 33203 Maple Lane, Sterling Heights, and ends with a 3-6 p.m. He was a very likable coach, but he also meant business.” Tai Apisa, the couple’s only child, flies in from Texas with his four sonsĪdded Blazius: “You always knew where you stood with Coach Apisa. We counted over 20 players that he coached have coached. It’s one big party.” People literally plan their vacations around the event. “Anyone who played for Bill wants to be involved. “He was a kid who grew up in poverty so he understood what that was like.”Ī number of Clintondale supporters got behind the effort, such as former Clintondale superintendent Ray Contesti, longtime school board president Frank Marella, and the former ESI Sanitation, gave added credibility to the outing, which typically raises about $20,000.īut beyond the benevolent intention, the outing also serves as an informal class reunion. “Bill was a football coach down to his big toe,” she said. He wanted them to be seen by collegiate coaches and possibly earn a scholarship. She says her husband simply wanted to raise a little extra money for the football program, because a lot of kids couldn’t afford a pair of shoes or to attend camps. Some saw him as a “rough and tough man,” but he had a “heart of gold,” according to his widow, Sheila Apisa. He died in May 2017 from cancer, family members said.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)Ī Clintondale grad, Apisa had a 33-year teaching career and served as Clintondale’s athletic director from 1988 to 1993. C Club members from left: Manu Apisa, Tai Apisa, Jay Blazius, Shawn Murray, Sheila Apisa, Lisa McCamant, Bob Walmsley, Tui Apisa, and Tai Apisa Jr. He also had an eight-year stint as a middle school volleyball coach, posting a 54-42 mark. He coached freshman basketball and won 29 of 34 games. He compiled a 62-34 mark coaching track at the high school. He was also successful coaching other sports. Apisa coached Clintondale football from 1980-1997 and won four league championships.
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