Bill Tidwell was heralded as one of the top middle-distance runners in the United States when running on the Emporia State University track and cross country teams in 1953-57.  He was a four-time NAIA champion, winning the 880 and the mile in the 1955 and ’56 meets.  In 1956, he was national runner-up in the NAIA cross country championships.  During his career, he held the national record for the 880 and until 1982 held the Emporia State University 880-yard record.  Tidwell, who earned the "Outstanding Athlete" award at the Kansas Relays, is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.