William W. Wirtz
OCTOBER 5, 1929 - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007
On September 26, 2007 the sports and business world lost a great friend with the passing of William W. Wirtz at the age of 77. Mr. Wirtz is survived by his wife, Alice, five children, Rocky, Gail, Karey, Peter, and Alison and seven grandchildren. Mr. Wirtz was a great family man, businessman, sportsman, and humanitarian.
When the Wirtz family purchased the Chicago Blackhawks in 1954, William Wirtz, a 1950 graduate of Brown University, took his place along with father Arthur M. Wirtz and brother Michael in the reshaping and the redevelopment of the franchise.
He became President of the club in 1966. Auspiciously, in his first year as President, the Chicago Blackhawks finished tops in their division for the first time in team history. Since that 1966-67 season, the team recorded 13 divisional titles, and captured a President¹s Trophy on his watch.
His leadership extended beyond Chicago to the NHL itself. Mr. Wirtz was elected nine times as Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors. Inside Hockey called William Wirtz the most respected Governor in the National Hockey League. Having served as Chairman eighteen years, Mr. Wirtz stepped down following the 1991-92 season. Among the accomplishments during his tenure as Chairman was the merger of the WHA with the NHL in the late 1970¹s, the further expansion of the League and the entry of European players into the League. Known as a man of his word, William Wirtz also served on the National Hockey League Executive Committee.
His achievements have been recognized: induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976; the reception of the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1978, (both honors also accorded his father); induction into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985; and the respect of his peers as a "natural leader." Wirtz also served on both the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympic Committees.
Under the guidance of Mr. Wirtz, Chicago Blackhawk Charities funded the many programs of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) helping promote the advancement of youth hockey on all levels in the state. For many years, the Blackhawks have hosted the Illinois State High School Championship game at the Chicago Stadium and now the United Center in which the winner is awarded the Blackhawk Cup symbolic of the NHL¹s Stanley Cup.
In addition, he also served as Chairman of the Prairie State Games (Illinois 1984-85), and Trustee for the Chicago Latin School Foundation.
The decision to construct a new arena for the team was a difficult one for the Wirtz family. Chicago Stadium had been a family property since 1936, long before ownership of the Blackhawks was a reality, and he had literally grown up within its walls. He met legendary stars of the entertainment world there; he witnessed history being made at the political conventions and rallies held there. However, the businessman in him recognized the economic necessity of change.
Remaining competitive in an era of escalating salaries called for a farsighted approach. Balancing the corporate suite along with the individual season ticket holder is not an easy task for a man who viewed the ticket holder as the most important part of a sports franchise. Together with partner Jerry Reinsdorf of the Chicago Bulls, he succeeded in constructing a new state-of-the-art arena. He was most proud that the facility was "financed with private funds and without taxpayer dollars."
Outside hockey, Mr. Wirtz maintained several enterprises with the authority and responsibility shared by other family members. "We are a close family," he would say. "It has always been the family first, business second and nothing else third."
William Wirtz was always concerned for others not so fortunate. In November 1993, Chicago Blackhawk Charities was developed to aid individuals suffering from physical disabilities, to help underprivileged and abused children, and to promote health and fitness through youth hockey. Under the direction of Mr. Wirtz, Blackhawk Charities granted over $7.5 million to organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Cathedral Shelter, the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, Misercordia Home, Blackhawk Alumni Scholarship Fund and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
His contributions to the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago were well recognized. Mr. Wirtz was a model humanitarian and many of the good deeds he performed for people throughout the community went unnoticed or remain unknown by design.
