Captain of the 1961 Muskegon Catholic Central gridiron team, Bill Wolski earned first-team All-State honors as a running back. Following graduation, the 5-10, 194-pound prep star continued his football career at Notre Dame. Wolski broke into the Irish starting lineup in the third game of the 1963 season. The sophomore back notched 87 yards in 16 carries as Notre Dame defeated Southern California 17-14.

The following season, the Irish rolled to a 9-1 mark under the guidance of new coach Ara Parseghian. The junior halfback Wolski led the team in rushing with 657 yards in 136 attempts and in scoring with 11 touchdowns. A 20-17 loss to USC in the final game kept the No. 1 Irish from claiming the national championship. In 1965, the Irish posted a respectable 6-5-1 record. Wolski’s eight touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions gave him a team-leading 52 points. His five-touchdown performance against Pittsburgh that year ranks second in the all-time Notre Dame record book. He also tied Paul Hornung for most kickoff returns in a season with 16.

Following graduation, Wolski was named to the roster of the East-West Shrine game. The NFL Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the fifth round. He also received an offer from the New York Jets of the American Football League. Wolski signed with the Falcons, but an injury to his right knee in pre-season drills sidelined him for much of the 1966 season. He returned to Atlanta following successful off-season surgery, but in late July, he then injured his left knee. After the 1967 season, Wolski was released at his request and he retired from pro football.