California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Bill “Birdman” Birch was a member of the Cal U track and field team from 1976 through 1979. Though he also competed effectively in the triple jump, 220, and 100-yard dash, Birch starred as a high jumper.

He broke the school record high jump of 6’4” with a jump of 6’6” on April 18, 1977, in a meet against Bethany College. Three months later, Birch broke his own record and set an Adamson Stadium high jump record with a leap of 6’8” in the Pitt-Sylvania Relays. This record lasted for eight years. He concluded his banner 1977 season by finishing second in the high jump event at the U.S. Track and Field Meet that was held at Trinity High School.

In 1978, Birch, a Vulcan co-captain, achieved PSAC Honor roll status and finished an impressive second at the conference championship meet. Considered the Vulcans’ most versatile athlete by head coach Ray Lister, Birch also had a jump of 6’7” in a 77-66 Cal victory over Fairmont State and won both the high jump and triple jump (40’74”) events in an 80-64 triumph over Washington & Jefferson College. Birch’s expertise in the high jump made him the first Cal student-athlete from a field event to qualify and participate in the NAIA National meet. Birchm along with standout runner Dean Shaw, competed at the NAIA Track and Field Championships in Abeline, Texas.

“There are a lot of memories and going to the Nationals was certainly one of them,” said Birch. “We flew down to Texas and it was nice to see another part of the country and go up against top competition.”

Birch continued his consistent jumping success in 1979 despite unseasonable weather. At the NAIA District 18 championships at IUP, Birch took second in the high jump and sixth in the triple jump. He ranked among the top three high jumpers in the PSAC. At the school’s annual all-sports banquet after the season, Birch and triple jump specialist Ken Thomas were the co-winners of the Outstanding Jumping Performance Award. Birch earned his degree from Cal U in nature conservation in 1979.

“I remember jumping in the snow a lot my senior year,” Birch said. “Bad weather does not give you an ideal situation to perform in but you have no control over that.”

Birch credited Lister for his coaching and support during his undergraduate days.

“Coach Lister was a real good guy and as far as coaching he was it for us,” said Birch. “He was an accomplished runner himself who was very knowledgeable. He was definitely a positive influence.”

Despite Birch’s considerable success, track and field participants do not receive the brunt of media attention though his jumping exploits often earned headlines.

“It was nice getting mentioned in the newspapers from time to time but that as not why we competed,” Birch said. “Receiving personal satisfaction from our own achievements and knowing you could win was good enough.”

Originally from Marianna, PA, Birch was a graduate of Beth Center High School, where he set the Bulldogs’ high jump record. He began jumping in the eighth grade when he set-up his own high jump facility, a bamboo pole between two trees and piles of hay for landing, on his parents’ farm along the banks of Ten Mile Creek.

Birch, who also won numerous medals in AAU competition and U.S. Track and Field meets, continued jumping for several years after his collegiate career. He is a counselor and assistant director with the state of New York, working with juvenile delinquents for the past 19 years. Birch is the father of three children, 14 year-old Stephanie, 10 year-old Mitchell, and Joseph, who is three. His daughter has shown interest in track and field but she also has many more activities that may prevent her from continuing the Birch legacy of jumping.

“I was trying to get her into it but she participates in so many other things,” Birch said. “She also plays softball, swimming, and basketball. Her softball teams have won state championships and that takes place during the same time of the year as track and field. Whatever she prefers is fine.”

While his children have their whole lives ahead of them Bill Birch has come a long way from constructing his own jumping facility to the Cal U Hall of Fame.

“I was shocked when I was told about being selected,” said Birch, who last visited Cal U in June of 1998 when his father and former Cal U assistant dean, Dr. Richard M. Birch, received the C.B. Wilson Distinguished Faculty Award. “I’m looking forward to coming back. California definitely helped me prepare for life and I enjoyed being on the track and field team.”