POTSDAM – The Potsdam Public Museum will be open on Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those attending Potsdam’s High School’s Mega-Reunion.

Visitors are welcome to view the museum’s newest exhibit: “The Raquette River, Past, Present, Future,” as well as peruse the William J. “Bill” Lewis Collection of photographs and other memorabilia.

William J. Lewis was a revered coach of the Potsdam Central High School Track and Field Team from 1963 to 1974. As a member of the Potsdam Jaycees, he made an impact on Section X High School Athletics.

In 1970, Bill invited Olympic athlete Jesse Owens to the local Jaycee Sports Spectacular for boys and girls ages 9-18. Jesse spoke and handed out medals to the athletes.

Bill also coached the first Section X team in any sport sent to a NYSPHAA competition. His coaching led to 85 straight dual meet victories, 10 consecutive league championships and 9 sectional titles.

[img_assist|nid=324891|title=Potsdam High School track team win the 1972 Van Dusen meet with Potsdam closely winning against Tupper Lake 117 1/2 to 117. Here, track coach Bill Lewis and the 1972 track members Babe Ceglarski, Kim Sprague, Dave Romola, and Tim Sweet accept the trophy.|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=980|height=900]

P[img_assist|nid=324893|title=Potsdam High School’s 1969 winning mile medley team with track coach Lewis, second from left, and track members Tim Reed, Curt Alverson, Steve Crump, Dan Champney, with Bill Hinman looking on. Photo submitted by Carrie Livernois.|desc=|link=none|align=|width=1055|height=900]

[img_assist|nid=324908|title=|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=1118|height=900]

Potsdam High School track coach Bill Lewis, center front, and the1969 track and field team display their trophy after winning the VanDusen track meet. From left: Manager Wilson, J. Gardiner, D. Champney, Coach Bill Lewis, F. Woods, L. Groenevelde, K. Alverson, B. Hinman, D. Whalen, K Brant, R. Bronson, J. Peck, L. Richardson, S. Maine, B. Daniels, G. McGill, G Demeter,T. Reed, D. Charlebois, H. Robar, J Pottle, S. Crump, R. Cyrus, R. Kukuk, L Austin, P. Straub, W. Cook, R. Thomas, P. Smith, R. Nickerson, T. McGregor, K Sprague, D. Forbush, A. Capone, B. Bradley. Photo submitted by Carrie Livernois.

[img_assist|nid=324909|title=|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=1200|height=602]

Potsdam High School track and field coach Bill Lewis led the 1965 team to an undefeated season. First row: G. Hobson, J. Mousaw, M. Stone, W. Hayman, K. Park, G. Mousaw, S. Barlow, M. Perry, R. Schyberg. Second row: D. Henderson, D. Dwyer, C. Williams, J. Serabian, W. Mitchell, R. Denicourt, W. Putnam, E. Cooklin, R. Myers, B. Forbes, F. Martin. Third row: M. Sprague, Manager D. Rose, D. Jarrett, G. Aiken, M. McBurnie, T. Wyant, S. Wray, R. LaDuke, E. Cunnings, R. Oberst, H. Bell, T. Blair, and Coach Bill Lewis. Photo submitted by Carrie Livernois

[img_assist|nid=324894|title=Potsdam High School principal John McMann and track and field coach Bill Lewis with the Van Dusen track trophies from the team’s win in 1969, captured after 5 straight wins. Photo submitted by Carrie Livernois.|desc=|link=none|align=|width=676|height=900] 

[img_assist|nid=324916|title=Jesse Owens talks with Potsdam High School Track and Field Coach Bill Lewis at the New York State Junior Olympics hosted by Coach Lewis at SUNY Potsdam, 1970. Photo submitted by Carrie Livernois|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=975|height=900]