Bill O'Connor
Athletic Director

Bill O'Connor enters his tenth year as Athletic Director at Bellevue College. His impact is seen throughout the entire athletic department from the gymnasium to the softball field. As one walks in to the athletic department, O'Connor's impact is immediately seen with the recent naming of Courter Family Athletic Pavilion. He was instrumental in the securing of funding for athletic scholarships and athletic facility improvements over the next several years.

O'Connor has made many changes which have now given the deparment greater visibility both on campus and within the community. Recently, O'Connor was an integral part of the softball field renovation that fetured new fencing and fully-enclosed dugouts. Most noteworthy of his accomplishments, 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 with the coaching staff members, O'Connor is a staple figure at practices and contests for all of BC's teams.

O' Connor speaking at the opening ceremonies of the new softball field; Bellevue College softball's first on-campus permanent facility. photo by Rich Dworkis

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, Jawann 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 is an owner of several thoroughbred race horses. O'Connor and his wife for 44 years, Joan, reside in Bellevue and have three children, daughters Dawn and Courtney, and son Chris. Bill and Joan also have seven grandchildren.