The legend surrounding his name makes a simple conversation with Bill Kajikawa seem like something to be remembered. But the soft, grizzled voice of the 90-year-old man still has passion in its undertones.
Kajikawa began his coaching career in 1937 with the freshman football team before the University was known as ASU, before the Sun Devils existed. He taught physical education and coached baseball, men's basketball and badminton, in addition to football, while using his position to help students achieve education above all else.
Kajikawa first came to the University though, as a student four years prior. His only opportunity for higher learning presented itself in the form of a "working scholarship" at what was then called Arizona State Teacher's College. The scholarship allowed Kajikawa to have tuition and room and board paid for by the college, in exchange for working wherever he was needed.
"[My] goal was to graduate," Kajikawa said. "I was willing to take the risk of playing football in order to get a scholarship for school."
In three years on the varsity football team, Kajikawa earned three letters and was named an All-Border Conference fullback.
Kajikawa became the freshman football coach of the ASU Bulldogs after graduating and began his 41-year coaching career that eventually earned him a spot in the Arizona Basketball Hall of Fame and the ASU Hall of Distinction.
Many think a career in athletics stops at playing and coaching. But Kajikawa is also a fan.
"When people follow sports, they become fans, and the sports become a part of them," Kajikawa said. "In all sports, the theory of scoring more than the other team is the same, so I try to follow all the sports I can."
Even though Kajikawa played and coached primarily major sports, his interest and devotion to all sports is astonishing. Last season, very few softball practices passed without Kajikawa's presence. Kajikawa even tries to call the Olympic sports coaches before meets.
"When people talk about someone bleeding maroon and gold, my father is the source of all that maroon and gold," said Kajikawa's daughter, Christine Wilkinson, the vice president of student affairs at ASU.
She emphasized the importance education held in her father's heart.
"Education was of the highest priority to him," Wilkinson said. "He really wanted [players] to graduate."
The root of Kajikawa's dedication to learning stems from his original motivation to participate in athletics at ASU.
The most unique aspect of Kajikawa's playing and coaching legacy is his unwavering respect for the tool athletics are in a collegian's life.
"Sports gave me an opportunity to come to ASU. Many principles that we live by, not necessarily in sports, are things we can learn from sports," Kajikawa said. "Almost everyone must have discipline and teamwork. These are all things learned rather quickly through sports."
The level of commitment Kajikawa grasped through sports led him to join the volunteer 442nd regimental combat team during World War II. The unit became one of the most decorated in the war.
Kajikawa's efforts to instill discipline in his players affected his family as well. Wilkinson recalls Kajikawa as always being readily available to players for a meal, help with homework or just an open ear.
"I remember being surrounded by ASU players," Wilkinson said. "Dad was always inviting players and coaches over for dinner."
Kajikawa's plans for the future include going to practices and reliving the sports that gave him so much. As his 90th birthday passes, the soft-spoken man can still, just as if he were in his younger days, capture his listeners and instill a love for ASU in everyone he encounters.
"TV isn't the best place to watch football," Kajikawa said. "It's better to hear the leather popping."
Reach the reporter at cameron.eickmeyer@asu.edu.
