William Aniskovich grew up in Branford in the 40’s and 50’s. Bill was a three sport star at Branford High School, graduating in 1956. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps following high school, returning to Branford to marry and raise a family. Bill functioned as an athletic coach and a member of the Board of Recreation, and became an acknowledged leader in designing athletic facilities. Bill was a skilled high school athlete a hard-nose competitor and effective leader. Bill was known for his determination, physical courage and sportsmanship. On the gridiron, Bill played during his junior and senior years, serving as a quarterback for the Hornets that posted a 7-2 record. The team included Hall of Famers Barry Royden, Skip Sciarra, Peter Dzwonkoski, and first year Head Coach Dom Cote. Bill played basketball for BHS during his freshman, sophomore and senior years for another Hall of Fame coach, Stan Petela. In baseball, Bill started as an infielder or catcher for four years. As senior captain, he led one of the top teams in the state the to a 16-2 record. Bill’s teammates included Hall of Fame members Royden, Dick DeSarbo and Dick Bentley. His coach was Hall of Famer Gerry Crotty. Bill’s teammates selected him for the Savitt Sportsmanship Award.
Following graduation, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marines and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC and aboard ship in the Mediterranean for 7 months before receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1958. He returned to Branford and played for the Branford Townies in the semi-pro Middlesex Country League. Soon, Bill turned to coaching, applying his natural leadership talents to midget football (4 years), Little League baseball (6 years), Recreational Dept. baseball (2 years), and ST. Mary Grammar School Basketball (1 year).
In 1971, Bill became coach of St. Mary CYO Basketball, posting record of 191 victories and 46 defeats (75%) over 15 years, experiencing only one losing season and winning League Championships 12 times. Under Bill’s coaching St. Mary garnered two State Championships. His ’84-’85 New England Championship team posted a 21-0 record.
Through his work as Vice President of TPA Design Group and President of the WBA Group, planning, engineering and landscape architecture firms, Bill became well-known throughout the eastern United States for designing athletic facilities. Notable projects are Jess Dow Field, S.C.S.U., the W.C.S.U. Football Stadium, West Haven H.S. Athletic Facility. The WBA Group’s project for the New York Athletic Club was honored with the 2008 American Sports Builders Association Multi-purpose Turf Facility Award. Without question, Bill has become a leader in the region in designing athletic facilities.
In Branford, Bill served a chairman of the Recreation Commission between 1998 and 2005. He provided his expertise in the building of Foote Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Flax Mill Soccer Fields, Hammer Field Skate Park, and the James MacVeigh Athletic Complex.
Bill and his wife Theresa (Richitelli, BHS Class of ’57) have been married 48 years. They have three sons, Bill, Chris and Kevin and five grandchildren.
