Flint Northern, 1975
2024 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Football
William Van Broadway Jr.’s athletic journey started at Flint Northern High School. At the running back position, he was named to the All-Valley and All-State teams while creating a long-lasting legacy and impact in the Flint area.
William had many big performances on the football field for the Vikings, against Pontiac Central he ran for 162 yards and scored two touchdowns. In a game against Waterford Mott, he rushed for 189 yards in a victory.
One of William’s best games playing for Northern came in a matchup against Bay City where he ran for 134 yards and scored three touchdowns.
William rushed for 778 yards his junior season and nearly doubled that in his senior season by rushing for over 1,400 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. He was named MVP of the Saginaw Valley Conference and was 1st Team All-State in 1974.
William set the single season rushing record for the City of Flint in 1974, a record that stood for over 30 years. That season he rushed for over 100 yards in each game and averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
William continued his academic and athletic career at Michigan State University where he was a defensive back and kick returner for the Spartans.
William Van Broadway Jr., you are the true definition of being “Flint Strong!” You have made Flint proud, welcome to the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame!
