‘Wild Bill’ Is In His Own Zone Vandals’ Verdonk Is A Classic Non-Conformist

The Verdonk Special was delivered to the table at the Dutch Goose Restaurant.

And University of Idaho center Bill Verdonk, fresh from demolishing a bag of Jack in the Box’s finest, digs into the double-patty, pastrami-and-cheese conglomeration.

“I met the owner one night and I told her I couldn’t find a good burger in Moscow,” says Verdonk, a Chicago native always on the prowl for quality grub. “So she made this for me, only with bacon. It’s up on the menu as a ‘Double.’ I was like ‘Wow, this is the best burger in town.’

“Since then, she calls it the Verdonk Special.”

Verdonk’s special, all right.

From a hairstyle that would fit comfortably onto the end of a mop handle to his pregame musical preference of Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy,” Verdonk’s earned the nickname “Wild Bill.”

“What else you gonna call him?” line coach George Yarno asks. “If you looked at the guy, what, there’s ‘Calm Bill,’ or ‘Bookworm Bill?’ No, there’s ‘Wild Bill.”’ It fits. Man, does it fit.

“I like it,” grins Verdonk, a 280-pound free spirit.

He’s the one singing during practice or peaking over a reporter’s shoulder trying to read the game story on the computer on the flight home from a road game.

“He’s always saying people aren’t supposed to walk in front of him while he’s driving,” said senior offensive lineman Crosby Tajan, who lived with Verdonk last year. “In Chicago people wait for the cars. So Bill’s yelling at people, ‘Yo, this is where I’m driving.”’ As a roommate, Verdonk wasn’t a stickler for cleanliness.

“We had to have a very thorough cleanup day once a week,” Tajan said.

“He did laundry about every two months or so. He just goes with the flow.”

Verdonk admits as much. He’s been whitewater rafting four times and he can’t wait for another trip. He wanted to go skydiving, but the parachutes were designed for people 240 pounds or less.

“Everything Bill does is funny,” head coach Chris Tormey said.

Not to mention productive. He is an accomplished player, a decent student and successfully toes the line between mirth and misconduct.

Verdonk made a swift recovery after tearing a knee ligament in February, returning in time for fall workouts.

On the field, Verdonk “always goes 100 miles per hour,” Tajan said.

“We’ve had a lot of guys have that surgery and when they come back they’re usually not as effective the first year,” Tormey said. “Bill’s a better player now than at any time a year ago.”

Verdonk played at Kentucky before transferring to UI in 1994. A defensive lineman throughout high school and at Kentucky, it took time for Verdonk to feel comfortable on the offensive line.

“It started growing on me a couple of springs ago when I found out offensive linemen actually get to have some fun,” he said.

Amid the one-liners, Verdonk interjects: “We’re like the only position in sports where your back is turned to the action. Any other sport you’re facing the ball.”

Not sure what that means, but who cares. He’s on a roll now, and his arms are in motion as he speaks.

He’s asked if he’s ever used dirty tactics in the trenches.

“I’ve never done anything dirty. Oh, I don’t know,” said Verdonk, his defenses weakening. “Well, the dirtiest thing that ever happened to me was this guy from San Diego State would put his hands together and pop me under the chin after I snapped the ball. Me and (former Vandal Dan) Zeamer had to get after him. We had to be ruthless with him.”

Verdonk plans on earning his marketing degree and relocating to a warmer climate, maybe Miami or Dallas. Before then, there’s unfinished business on the field and frolic to be found.

“Bill has all the fun the law allows, and rightfully so. There’s nothing wrong with that,” Yarno said. “He’s a very fun-loving guy, but he’s also dedicated to being the best football player he can be.”

It’s a good mix.

“All I ever wanted to do was play football in college,” said Verdonk, burger inhaled and leaning back against the restaurant booth. “It’s taken some turns I’d never expected when I started, but I enjoyed them all.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo