Bill Warmerdam’s Passing Reminds Us of Lasting Legacy

Bill Warmerdam 1939-2022

Aptos High School Teacher and Coach Bill Warmerdam passed away May 18, 2022. A member of the Sports Hall of Fame, Warmerdam was known by decades of students, staff and the greater Aptos community as a one of a kind mentor and friend; with a twinkle in his eye to the very end. Recently, Warmerdam was able to attend the Class of 2020 Hall of Fame dinner (postponed due to COVID) and watch his son, Cris, be inducted. He visited with many AHS alumni and colleagues and friends. Bill Warmerdam will also be remembered for his PE and Driver’s Ed classes, everyone had a good “Warmer” story!

Hall of Fame Bio:

Bill Warmerdam (coach) – Warmer, as he is fondly called, is widely considered one of the greatest basketball coaches and innovators in northern California basketball history. He was the boys basketball coach at Aptos from the school’s opening in 1969 until 1992. Bill’s teams won ten league championships, including six consecutive titles. His teams reached five CCS Semi-Finals and three CCS Finals. His 1986-87 team was the Nor-Cal runner-up, and his 1985-86 team was the CCS and Nor-Cal Champion, losing in the CIF State Finals to Wilson HS and future NBA star Scott Williams 72-46. No other AHS boys basketball team has ever reached the state finals, and only three others have reached the Nor-Cal playoffs. Bill’s overall record is 393-232.

Despite not having the three-point line until 1987, his teams still hold several CCS and Nor-Cal scoring records, Playing a fast-paced offense in front of packed gymnasiums, Warmer’s teams put Aptos High School on the map. Bill also coached track and field, baseball, cross-country, girls basketball, and football. Bill retired from Aptos in 2000, but you can still see him on the road teaching driver’s training. The varsity MVP Award is the Bill Warmerdam Award, and the original gym on campus is Warmerdam Gymnasium.

Bill is married to Patricia, and they have eight children and thirteen grandchildren.

Bill was presented into the Hall by Bobby Salazar.

Bill Warmerdam - Head Boys Basketball Coach

Aptos High School

1969-1992

• 23 seasons as head basketball coach

• Longest-tenured basketball coach in AHS history (2nd longest overall - Jim Triplett, swimming)

• 393-232 overall record (63% winning record)

• 10 SCCAL Championships

• 31 CCS Playoff Appearances

• 19-12 record in CCS (61%)

• 1985-86 CCS and Nor-Cal Champions

• Only AHS basketball coach to make Nor-Cal Finals (twice)

• Only AHS basketball coach to reach CIF State Finals

• 5-1 record in Nor-Cal & State (83%)