Bill Popowich is a Burnaby native and Burnaby South grad began coaching in the New Westminster high school district and soon after became involved at the executive level in staging championship basketball tournaments at the zone and provincial levels.

Popowich remained the B.C. association’s tournament games coordinator for more than 31 years and he is still active on the group’s scholarship committee. He was presented with an honorary life membership in 1990. As a youth, Popowich, sports writers named a multi-sport athlete, rookie of the year in the local Coast soccer league for the St. Andrews club. Later, he also helped organize and develop juvenile soccer at Wesburn for more than two decades.

As a teacher, Popowich was a volunteer referee and coach in a variety of sports and is still active in the provincial association as chair of the MVP selection committee and on the appeal board. Popowich was also true to high school track and field with more than 40 years of service to the sport in many capacities. He also received an honorary life membership from the athletics association.

Popowich has also had two trophies dedicated in his name in high school sports for dedication and outstanding contribution.