Apr. '26 Newsletter
The Bill Walton Foundation
Quick, name 3 things that actually belong in the same sentence…how about Basketball, Bill Walton and San Diego?
It has been an awesome week, on several fronts. First of all, The Bill Walton Foundation is now an actuality: SDSI Chairman John Sarkisian announced the launch of the Foundation April 23rd at Helix High School, the very place Bill started his amazing journey. It was 142 games later, starting at Helix, on to the UCLA JV and the record setting UCLA varsity, where Bill set an unmatched consecutive win record and took a step closer to his Hall of Fame career. As we all know, Bill wanted to honor others, certainly not himself. With that in mind, the Foundation mantra is “Be Like Bill.” The mission is to support the many causes that Bill supported in his amazing life of giving, investing in programs that build character, foster selfless leadership, while carrying forward Bill’s radical joy, and optimism in the ultimate game of life!
The Bill Walton Classic: November 7th, Pechanga.
Mark your calendar, go to billwaltonclassic.com and buy some courtside tickets! Think about Bill, his basketball, his bike, his outsized chair that went everywhere with him…and his love for San Diego. What could make more sense than a Preseason Tip Off Tournament in his name? Sport San Diego’s CEO Mark Neville said it best: “The Bill Walton Classic is meant to lift up our three Division 1 basketball programs, unite our basketball community under one roof and pay tribute to a true San Diegan. Nights like this remind us of what’s possible when the city comes together around the game.” Let me add “tie dyed owners, this will be your chance.” Cannot wait to see a full-on spectrum of possibilities! Special thanks to Sport San Diego and sponsoring National University for their support of an audacious idea. As Bill loved to say: “Shine on San Diego, thanks for my life, I am the luckiest guy in the world. It’s Bill, from the sunny side of the road.”
Indeed!
Bob was honored as a Leader of Influence in Sports Business
We are proud to see Bob honored as a Leader of Influence in Sports Business by the San Diego Business Journal alongside so many from the SDSI community. It is special to see him recognized alongside a group of leaders who continue to drive our industry forward. The number of SDSI members included here is a testament to the continued impact our network has across the sports and active lifestyle industry. See who else was featured here!