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Bill O'Connor
Athletic Director
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Bill O'Connor enters his fifth year as Athletic Director
at Bellevue Community College. After several years, O'Connor has
made several changes which have now given the deparment greater
visibility both on campus and within the community. Most noteworthy
of his accomplishments in his baby tenure, O'Connor has elevated
financial sponsorship support for the department. In addition to
these positive steps, O'Connor has also brought in a tighter association
and support network between the athletic director and all of his
coaches. He frequently meets and converses with all of his coaches,
from basketball coach Jeremy Eggers to women's tennis coach Jason
Chapman on a consistent basis. In addition to enhanced communication
and support for the coaching staff members, O'Connor is a staple
figure at practices and contests for all of BCC's teams.
The enhanced visibility on campus is
evidenced by the return of cheerleaders, which were last part of
BCC's community in the late 80's and a new mascot, the Bulldogs.
The cheerleading squad has grown from a half-dozen to over 13 in
one year.
O'Connor has also hired several new coaches and has been the missing link between the athletic department and
other employees and departments on campus."I think we have got
some good things going," says O'Connor.
O'Connor was previously employed as
Vice President of Sales for Sea Catch, Inc. He held that position
for 25 years. O'Connor also holds previous employment in the collegiate
athletic world as many basketball enthusiasts are well aware of.
A former head basketball coach for
Seattle University in the 70's, O'Connor directed the Chieftains
(now known as the Redhawks) for six years from 1972-1977 during
their last years as an NCAA division I level program. O'Connor enjoyed
tremendous success, particularly with player development as evidenced
by his high-caliber athletes who went on to professional basketball
careers in the NBA; Frank Oleynick, Clint "Doc" Richardson,
Juwann Oldham, and Rod Derline. Richardson, Oleynick, and Oldham
are still ranked in the top ten of Seattle U's all-time scoring
leaders (fourth, sixth, and tenth respectively). O'Connor also has
previous coaching experience at Stamford Catholic HS (CT) and Providence
College.
As an athlete, the tall and slender
O'Connor was an All-East and Helms Foundation All-American Team
member in 1963. He was a standout at Canisius College and was elected
to their Hall of Fame in 1977. His talents on the court were legitimate
enough to earn him a stint in the NBA. He played for the New York
Knicks in 1963.
During his spare time, O'Connor maintains his personal competitive drive as a near-scratch handicap golfer
and as owner of two thoroughbred race horses which are based at
Emerald Downs. O'Connor and his wife for 34 years, Joan, reside
in Bellevue and have three children, daughters Dawn and Courtney,
and son Chris. Bill and Joan also have seven grandchildren. |