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Willie Avery

Willie Avery

  • Class Year:
    1973
  • Induction Year:
    1985
  • Sport(s):
    Football and Baseball

Willie Avery '73 graduated from BW in 1973 and was inducted into the Alumni Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1985.

Willie Avery, the 5'6", 140 pound Baldwin-Wallace mighty mite, excelled at both football and baseball while attending B-W. He earned seven letters, four in football and three in baseball. For his exploits on the football field, Willie was named second team All-OAC at split end in 1972 and first team in 1973. He received many other football awards including the Most Valuable Player on the 1973 Yellow Jacket football squad and the Jimmie Lee Memorial Award, which is presented by the Cleveland Touchdown Club to an Outstanding Local College Football Player.

Willie still holds two Baldwin-Wallace football records: most yards pass receiving in one season (853 yards in 1972) and most passes caught in a career (120). His record for most games played for the Jackets (36) was broken by quarterback Brian Moore who saw actiuon in 38 games while at B-W. 

On the ball diamond, Willie was the first team All-OAC shortstop for three consecutive years. He was a tremendous base stealer and led the Jackets with a .348 batting average. The Cleveland Indians drafted Avery in 1973.

While at B-W, Willie was a physical education major. He is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

A native of West Point, Georgia, Willie now resides in Richmond Heights with his wife, Lydia, and their three daughters. He is the Field Service Manager for Digital Equipment in Cleveland.