Interview with William Nordmark, ‘71
Among those enjoying the success of Georgia State Basketball's NCAA Tournament run last season was former Panther Bill Nordmark, ’71, who suited up for the Panthers in the late 60’s, early 70’s when the program did not enjoy quite the same level of success and support as it has under the likes of coaches “Lefty” Driesell and currently with Ron Hunter. Well known in the Atlanta business community, Nordmark is the President and CEO of The Nordmark Consulting Group, which specializes in working with health care organizations. Prior to starting his consulting business, he spent eighteen years with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, including the last three years serving as Executive Vice President, External Affairs. Generous with his time, Nordmark has served on the Governor's Access to Health Care Commission. He is Past President of The Rotary Club of Atlanta, Past Chairman for the Rotary District 6900 Polio Plus Campaign, and Chairman of the Board of Clearwave, Inc. Mr. Nordmark is also on the Board of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
DC: When you look back at all the outstanding accomplishments in your career to this point, how much of that can be traced back to your time as a student at Georgia State?
BN: Dave, Georgia State has played a huge part in my role in the Atlanta business community, both when I was corporate and since I’ve had my own consulting business during the last twenty-three years. I draw upon my days there at Georgia State from the standpoint of the relationships that I made with, who were at that time, current students, and I now see here years later in the business community. Also, I majored, at the end of my work at Georgia State, in Urban Administration, which was at that time kind of a new and innovative degree. I still, to this day, draw on things that I learned in how business relates to the urban setting and I value my degree greatly.
DC: Coming out of high school, (Headland HS in East Point, Ga.) what was it about Georgia State that attracted you to want to continue your education in downtown Atlanta?
BN: Well, my dad worked for Delta Air Lines for forty-five years and we were just a middle-class family so we did not have a lot of money to send me to a college. I had to end up staying at home. I actually lived at home during my days at Georgia State and I also wanted to try out for the basketball team, which I did in 1968, as a walk-on and I made the team.
DC: What comes to mind for you when you remember Georgia State as it was when you were a student here and compare it to what’s going on across campus today?
BN: Mainly the way all of the facilities have grown and being able to go down to the athletics arena and see that. My college basketball games were played at the O’Keefe Gym over near Georgia Tech so the expansion of all the facilities on campus is exciting to see. Also, seeing the diverse population of the attendees at the school. I think that is a real plus for the university.
DC: Going back to your time as a student-athlete, playing basketball here from 1968-71, what was it like being a Panther during that time period?
BN: Actually it was a good brand of basketball. We were playing teams like Mercer, Oglethorpe, Valdosta State, UT-Chattanooga, Furman and schools like that. The basketball was actually very good. Our teams were not great in terms of win-loss percentage. We did not have great seasons that way but I think the students enjoyed coming out and watching the games. It was a great student activity. The fraternities, sororities and other organizations supported us at a time when there was actually not a great deal of sports in the Atlanta area but Georgia State Basketball was a great thing. The Falcons, Braves and Hawks had just recently moved to Atlanta in that time frame when I played.
DC: In 1952 you were diagnosed with Polio and from an athletic standpoint, you had to have been among maybe a handful that were capable of competing in athletics and doing so at the Division 1 level.
That’s an incredible accomplishment.
BN: Yes, that was something that I’m proud of. I was blessed to be able to play college basketball after overcoming a dreadful disease. There were many people who were paralyzed in ways that they’re still suffering today at this point in time. I’m still very healthy at 66 years old and so it was a blessing for me to be able to play college basketball and I’m thankful that I got to do it because it’s been a big part of my life.
DC: Was there anyone at Georgia State during your time as a student that played a special role in your educational experience, maybe as a mentor?
BN: Well, there were a number of people like that. That was actually at a time when I would see Noah Langdale very frequently, the president of Georgia State as well as Dr. Suttles (Vice-President) and Tim Singleton, the Dean. But, the one person that had a major influence on my life was Dr. Francis Bridges, who was the athletics director and a management professor at Georgia State. He was very important in my life and gave me good advice along the way in terms of preparing me for life in business in the days to come.
DC: Georgia State is still a part of your life as an alumnus and former student athlete. How satisfying is it seeing how far the university has come since your days of being on campus?
BN: I must say. I am so proud of Georgia State. I think of Georgia State now and when I tell people that I went there I have a great pride, and not just because of the basketball team’s success in the NCAA Tournament last season but really the way it has helped to re-develop downtown. Georgia State is really a dominant player in downtown Atlanta now and that makes me really proud.