BILL KOCH
1940-
Inducted – 2004

One of the nation’s greatest business minds and well-known philanthropists, William Ingraham Koch was the winning skipper of the 1992 America’s Cup – the world’s oldest trophy in sports. Koch was also the winning skipper in the 1990 and 1991 Maxi Yacht World Championships and in 1995, he assembled the world’s first all-women’s team to compete for the America’s Cup. His commitment to the women’s team represented a milestone in the recognition and opportunities now provided women athletes in many sports around the world. The founder and owner of one of the largest privately owned companies in the world – The Oxbow Group - Koch attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned three degrees. At MIT, Koch also played varsity basketball and participated in track and field, and rugby. Koch has received numerous state and national awards for his commitment to charities in his home state and around the country. His generosity also included funding the Wichita Boathouse – headquarters for the Wichita River Kids Club, which teaches sailing, kayaking and canoeing. He was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Game in 1993, was awarded the New York Yacht Club Medal of Honor in 1993 and named Kansan of the Year in 1993 and ’94. Born May 3, 1940, Wichita, Kansas. Graduated Culver (Indiana) Military Academy – 1958; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1962; MS - MIT, 1963; Doctorate - MIT, 1971.