Nov. '25 Newsletter
“Be Like Bill”
Frequent readers of the SDSI Newsletter will know that Bill Walton was the Chairman of SDSI, the only nonprofit or charity in which he held a formal position. It was not a vanity project on his part. Those who knew Bill well, knew his deep commitment to San Diego, to entrepreneurs, specially to new brand creators, no matter size, small or at scale. The concept of creation appealed to Bill; his lifetime of re-creating his personal future speaks volumes. Who else but Bill, a lifetime stutterer, would decide to be a national sports announcer for ESPN, or decide to start a Bikes for Humanity effort, or several times ride his bike from San Francisco to San Diego in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, or call out the local politicians for their indifference to the homelessness tragedy? Simply put: Bill had a wide-ranging impact on things, and especially, people. Being curious, friendly, kind, empathetic and humble were his calling cards. “Be like Bill” was a challenge many of us have taken on. It's a good exercise personally, but it’s also a chance to look around the community for others who are doing similar things, selflessly taking on the mantle of leadership to the benefit of others. SDSI believes these leaders deserve our support, so we have created the “Be Like Bill” award to draw attention to those leaders who make a real difference in San Diego.
Soccer Icon Alex Morgan to accept
2025 “Be Like Bill” Award
John Sarkisian, Chair at SDSI says it best: “Alex is the perfect choice for this award: an iconic athlete who defined a generation of women's soccer, an activist for equality and opportunity both on the field and off, an inspiration for so many across generations. Bill would want to say this is the “Be Like Alex Morgan” award. I cannot think of two more deserving San Diegans than Bill Walton and Alex Morgan.”
The second annual “Be Like Bill” event sponsored by Banner Bank will be held December 11th, at the Cushman Wakefield HQ in 1 Paseo in La Jolla at 5:00pm. SDSI members and guests will present the award and celebrate Alex Morgan’s inspirational leadership. Everyone is invited to join in and celebrate two of our own larger-than-life leaders who are greatly impacting San Diego and beyond. RSVP HERE.
This event continues to act as a fundraiser for the Lucky Duck Foundation, a nonprofit dear to Bill’s heart dedicated to preventing and alleviating the suffering of homelessness in San Diego County. If you cannot attend, but would like to donate, you can do so HERE.
I will leave you with a challenge: Do something today to Be like Bill. Enjoy a wry smile, knowing the satisfaction of taking the time to make a difference, no matter how big or small!
Welcome New Member:
Tracy Walton is the co-creator of ClarityWorks, where she leads groups centered on clarity, alignment, and creating meaningful results. She also serves as a Project Manager for the San Diego Wave FC, combining her strategic expertise with her passion for women’s soccer. It is especially meaningful having Tracy a part of the SDSI community, where so many of us loved, respected, and continue to honor the legacy of her late father-in-law, Bill Walton. We are thrilled to have Tracy, and her passion for sports in San Diego!
CALI Strong is the California-born sports brand redefining what it means to blend performance, culture, and community impact. Co-founded by industry veteran Jim Stroesser and creative force Jennifer Echeverria, the woman majority-owned company has grown into a movement fueled by innovation, purpose, and a powerful roster of athlete and celebrity supporters. With deep ties to San Diego, the military community, and youth sports through the newly formed CALI Strong Foundation, the brand embodies the spirit of resilience and giving back. We’re excited to welcome CALI Strong into the SDSI community!
Shop the SDSI Community this Holiday Season
‘Tis the season to keep it local and give the gift of sport, outdoor, health and wellness! Check out the SDSI Member-to-Member discount program for great savings on gift ideas to keep your loved ones active and healthy. To find out what discounts you can get for being a part of this community, reach out to Dylan@sdsportinnovators.com.