William Y. Giles, 1956
B.A., Denison University
L.H.D., Neumann College
President and General Partner
Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia
Citation awarded June, 1996
Bill Giles is President and General Partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. He has had an exceptional career in the field of professional sports business operations and promotion. After graduating from Denison and serving in the U.S> Air Force, he became Business Manager for the Cincinnati Reds farm team, and later held positions with the Houston Colt 45’s and the Houston Astros. His innovative ideas in promotional activities began drawing national acclaim when, as publicity director for the Astros, he masterminded eye-catching electronic scoreboard displays.
In 1969 Bill began his association with the Philadelphia Phillies as Vice President for Operations, and became President in 1981. One of the most respected and influential figures in professional sports today, Bill was named #37 out of the “100 most powerful people in sports” in a 1993 article in “The Sporting News.”
For Bill, leadership also encompasses civic and volunteer activities. He is Chairman of the Board of the Philadelphia Convention & Tourism Bureau; President of the Philadelphia Boy Scouts; member of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Philadelphia Sports Congress, and board member of the Police Athletic League.
Bill has been recognized many times for these activities. Among his awards are the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen of the Year (1985), Police Athletic League Man of the Year (1993), and Philadelphia Anti-Defamation League Man of the Year (1994).
Bill’s wife Nancy Kirwin Giles is a member of the Denison Class of ’55. She and Bill have three sons, one of whom, Christopher Giles, graduated from Denison in 1988 and is married to Amy Eichhold Giles ’88.
