Royals Hall of Fame
President, Queens University of Charlotte, 1978-2002
Wireman arrived at Queens in 1978 during a critical juncture in the University’s history. He brought a spirit of revitalization, excitement and growth, and established a personable and approachable style that endeared him to the Queens community.
Wireman is credited with many sweeping changes during his administration, including the shift to fully co-educational status, the launch of several new schools and colleges, the establishment of an NCAA Division II athletics program, and the change from Queens College to Queens University of Charlotte.
Like many native Kentuckians, he dreamed of playing basketball, which he did at the state’s Georgetown College as a 5-foot-8 shooting guard, and there he earned a degree in history.
After graduating and serving a two-year stint in the Marines, he was honorably discharged as a lieutenant. Afterward, Billy (he was born Billy; his friends endearingly called him “Billy O”) Wireman launched headlong into education.
He earned a master’s degree in educational administration at the University of Kentucky while assisting legendary basketball coach Adolph Rupp during the school’s 1957-58 championship season. He graduated three years later with a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University and was hired as a founding faculty member and basketball coach at Florida Presbyterian College, a new school in St. Petersburg, now called Eckerd College.
Dr. Wireman went on to be the President of Eckerd College from 1968 -1977 before coming to Queens.
With a history and love for athletics, Wireman was instrumental in establishing Queens as a strong and influential player in college athletics and remained a loyal Royals fan until the end.
Having fought a valiant fight against colon cancer, Dr. Wireman passed away on July 16, 2005.
