Beloit College

A prep all-American who was a record-breaking performer as a collegian, Bill Putnam ranks among the very best of Beloit’s all-time swimming greats.  He not only held four separate individual Midwest Conference titles during his three varsity seasons but also was undefeated in 63 individual and relay dual-meet events in league competition over four years.  While capturing championships in the 50, 100, 200 and 500-yard freestyle races, Putnam set nearly two dozen school, pool ad conference records, contributed to another pair as member of a title-winning 400-yard freestyle relay team and swam in two NCAA meets.  Team captain once and co-captain twice, he helped the Buccaneer varsity to three consecutive second-place finishes in the conference, taking high-point honors among all the swimmers on each occasion.  After college, Putnam shared his expertise and leadership with others, assisting at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the Springfield Swim Club before coaching a county club summer league boys’ team to 32 victories in 33 meets in seven years.  Just as successful as a businessman, he is the president and chief executive officer of TAPJAC Home Centers, operating 15 retail building-materials and hardware stores in Missouri and Oklahoma.