Bill Cossey
Sports came natural to Bill Cossey. That means, just like any other player who wanted to improve their skills in their beloved games, he spent a great deal of time honing his abilities. His hard work has paid off, as Cossey was not only a celebrated player at Rector High School; he also went on to become a quality college athlete and successful coach. Now, Cossey joins an elite group as he enters the RHS Sports Hall of Fame.
“It means everything I ever dreamed,” Cossey said of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. “I didn’t really play much until the 11th grade. I worked hard and when I got the opportunity to go out there and play, I tried to make the most of it. Now, all these years later, it’s an honor to be remembered and considered worthy for something like this. Of all the great players we had at Rector, to be considered one of them is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had.”
A 1965 RHS graduate, Cossey lettered in basketball as a sophomore, junior and senior. His outstanding play during his senior season earned him the distinction of being named Honorable Mention to the 1965 All-American Team. That same year, he was also named to the Arkansas High School All-Star Team, as well as chosen for All-State and All-District distinction.
Cossey was also named All-State as a junior. In high school, Cossey put up some impressive numbers, finishing with 1,244 points while averaging 15 points per game for his tenure, shooting 55.1 percent from the floor, 78 percent free throw shooting, 640 rebounds and 108 assists. As a senior, Cossey scored 644 points, had a field goal percentage of 57 percent, made 82.1 percent of his free throws and grabbed 336 rebounds.
Cossey also lettered in baseball at RHS as a sophomore, junior and senior, while pitching and playing first base. In the semifinals of the 1964 district tournament, Cossey was not only the winning pitcher, but he also hit a homerun.
Cossey went on to play basketball at Arkansas College (now Lyon College) from 1966-1969. There, he was named All-Conference, All-District NAIA and Honorable Mention All-American in 1968 and 1969. In college, he set the school record for most free throws made in succession at 33, tied the record for most free throws made in a game with 18 and finished fifth in career scoring with 1,891 points.
As a coach, Cossey earned a total of 503 wins during his time with Cave City, Nettleton, Grubbs, Clay County Central, Bradford and Prescott. He won 10 conference championships, made five state tournament appearances and secured a state runner-up finish.
“I truly feel blessed with the life that I’ve had,” Cossey said. “For me, it all started right there in Rector. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the school and everyone who supported me.”