USD Magazine Summer 2021

trip to practice at the “colored” school, while the white school was in walking distance. After moving to Cleveland and briefly playing at a community college there, he worked at a steel mill and almost quit the game for good before driving out to San Diego at the invitation of Cal Western’s head coach Bob Klop- penburg. But a few open games at USD changed his plans and, as it turns out, his fate. “Well I think the alarm finally went off,” says Bickerstaff ‘68 (BA). “I had a maturity problem. But USD’s professors, coaches and administrators were all very patient. It was always about char- acter, integrity and fairness. And that’s basically the way I’ve tried to live my life.” At 25, Bickerstaff was hired as the team’s head coach and from there went on to a storied career in the NBA that’s stretched across decades, teams and roles. He cur- rently works for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a senior advisor. Despite his professional success, Bickerstaff is endlessly humble and helpful. His extensive con- nections and generosity drew so many fellow USD alumni into the NBA that they formed a unique fraternity among coaches. “People look at me now and just shake their heads,” he laughs. “They’re trying to figure out how this small school could turn out all these coaches and administrators.” Much of the credit goes to Bickerstaff himself, who keeps in touch with most everyone he has ever played with or coached. “The message I tell them is we all need to help bring one along,” he says. “Let’s spread out. That way if something happens, we can put out a hand and help out.” Bernie Bickerstaff ’68, flanked by John (“JC”) Cunningham on the left, alongside Associate Vice President for Athletics Administration Bill McGillis.

C O U R T E S Y O F U S D A T H L E T I C S

ADVANTAGE , USD : A new $6.5 million facility for USD women’s and men’s tennis teams was recently opened on the west side of campus on the site of the former tennis courts. It was made possible entirely by private gifts. THE CLUBHOUSE : “The new space features eight brand-new resurfaced tennis courts, named the Lester T. Vessell Championship Courts, and our first-ever tennis clubhouse,” explains Senior Associate Director of Athletics Marcy Lanoue. The clubhouse provides a base for scholar-athletes and coaches, and houses a formal locker room, a team lounge and study commons. “The facility also features an athletic training room to service scholar- athletes’ medical needs as well as those of opposing teams when we welcome them for competi- tion.” STATE -OF - THE -ART : Located across from the new Learning Commons building, the center is adorned with USD’s distinctive Spanish architecture. The facility features a scoreboard and grandstands with chairback seating. After a full year of silence on the sidelines, Lanoue notes, “We can’t wait to have fans back in the stands again.” GAME , SET, MATCH : Given that San Diego is located in one of the most sought-after climates in the world, university athletes can train, rain or shine. “This will be one of the most premier tennis facilities in the country,” says Lanoue. “USD is going to be the top destination for tennis programs to compete against our men’s and women’s programs.” And not only will the new facilities add to scholar-athlete experience, but will be an alluring recruitment tool at the highest level. — Chloe Zakhour ‘20 SKIP AND CINDY HOGAN TENNIS CENTER Les ter T. Ves se l l Champi onship Cour t s

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Summe r 2021