May '26 Newsletter
“Be Like Bill”
It’s hard to imagine, but we lost Bill Walton two short years ago on May 27. While words continue to fail us, actions to lock in his legacy are progressing along. The Bill Walton Foundation is now official, with Lori Walton as President (BillWaltonFoundation.org), backed by SDSI’s Chairman, John Sarkisian. SDSI’s Walton PATH (Purpose After The Hustle) for athletes planning for what's next, led by Q Williams. Look for the initial cohort info soon. And a tie dye nod of the head to Mark Neville and Sports San Diego for creating the National University Bill Walton Classic, a November 7 Tip-Off tournament for our Division 1 University basketball teams. You can see the tie dye mayhem up close and personal by getting tickets at BillWaltonClassic.com.
Even with all the activity, it's still difficult to believe Bill is gone. Basketball, music, bike, Lucky Duck, CAF, community, SDSI, broadcasting, the BIG chair, thousands of friendships everywhere...his infectious inspiration lives on. I am always struck by the idea that maybe, just today, I could try to be like Bill. It's a tall order but fulfilling.
As he often put it in his emails:
“I am the luckiest guy in the world. Thank you for everything. Thank you for my life. It's Bill, from the sunny side of the road.”
Indeed!
~Bob
SDSI Happy Hour at San Diego Football Club’s Rooftop HQ, June 4, 5:00 PM
Outfront Media and SDFC are inviting us to the next Happy Hour in Little Italy at the SDFC HQ. AWESOME! Join us next Thursday, June 4th at 5PM for an evening of food, drinks, and great conversation with SDFC and the SDSI community. No PowerPoint, no agenda, just a chance to connect, build partnerships, share ideas, and discover new opportunities. Email dylan@sdsportinnovators.com for details if interested in attending.
Welcome SDSI New Members:
Duds by Dudes is a leading custom apparel and branded merchandise company helping with anything from major events and retail brands to corporate campaigns. As the largest all-in-one custom print shop in San Diego, Brian Geffen and the Duds by Dudes crew offer screen printing, embroidery, heat-applied products, DTG, fulfillment, promotional items, and more. With the capacity to produce over 50,000 decorated units per day, they serve everyone from Fortune 100 companies to family reunions, delivering high-quality solutions at every scale. Learn more about Duds by Dudes here.
Monday Morning is an alcohol-free bottle shop reshaping drinking culture through retail, hospitality, consulting, and production. Monday Morning creates welcoming spaces for the alcohol-free community through its bottle shops and tasting lounges, helping bars, restaurants, and hospitality groups build stronger alcohol-free programs. With the launch of “The Lab,” a new nonalcoholic brewery and co-packing facility, Zane Curtis and the team at Monday Morning are helping lead the next generation of alcohol-free innovation. Learn more about Monday Morning here.
V Group is a national signage and branded environments partner specializing in custom signage, large-format printing, event graphics, and visual solutions that transform spaces into high-impact experiences. Serving sports teams, universities, municipalities, and commercial organizations, Ron Morabito's team at V Group combines creative expertise, production, and concierge-level service to bring complex projects to life on time and on budget. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 as one of America’s fastest growing companies, V Group is committed to helping brands elevate their spaces and create lasting impact. Learn more about V Group here.