By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM — The Potsdam Board of Education approved Tuesday a proposal for a plaque to be mounted on stone near the entrance to the outdoor track as a tribute to former coach William “Bill” Lewis.

The plaque will be placed near Con Elliot’s stone this spring. The design will be similar to Elliot’s and will bear a likeness to Lewis.

The cost is being funded by a group of former athletes Lewis coached.

The running track at Potsdam Central will be named in his honor.

Several supporters of Lewis went to board meetings last spring to ask the district about naming the track in his honor.

The school had to reconsider a policy of the naming of facilities. The original policy stated that “The Board will consider a Board resolution or proclamation, a memento awarded to the individual, a plaque affixed to a wall in a hallway of a school building designated as a ‘Hall of Fame,’ a plaque affixed to a district facility. No other forms of recognition will be considered,” such as the proposal to name the track for Coach Lewis.

Lewis coached from 1963 until 1974 and comprised a legendary record of 107 wins with just three losses. His teams won nine Section X titles under his guidance.

The phrase “Let each become all he is capable of being” will be inscribed in the plaque. It is a phrase members of his teams say that he used at every practice.

A reception and dedication is planned for the home meet on May 10 of next year.

Lewis still lives in St. Lawrence County.

Carrie Livernois, daughter of Lewis, is a teacher at the school, Chambers said.