Magic in Numbers

New SCU men’s basketball coach brings values of competence, consistency, and comprehensiveness to his team.

Magic in Numbers
Herb Sendek has 39 career wins against opponents ranked in the top 25, including two top-10 wins in his final two years at ASU. Photo by Don Jedlovec
Men’s basketball looks to reach great new heights.

At his first press conference, new men’s basketball coach Herb Sendek said, “Hiring a new coach is great, but you don’t perform magic just because you have a special out-of-bounds play.” He was talking about how it takes resources, not trick plays, to compete at the highest level of college basketball. A new commitment to athletics by the University’s leadership has already yielded new locker rooms for the men’s and women’s teams, a new floor for the Leavey Center depicting the Mission Church, and a boost in budgets. “We’re going to treat this as a top-20 program,” Athletics Director Renee Baumgartner says. Sendek has a career record of 413–295 spread over 22 seasons at Miami (Ohio), North Carolina State, and Arizona State, along with eight NCAA Tournament appearances. Lifting the Broncos, who haven’t danced in 20 years, will take a team effort, he said. “It starts with [University] leadership and carries right through the ranks,” he said. “We’re going to lock arms and do this together.”

A Plan For Tomorrow

Santa Clara President Julie Sullivan unveils a new strategic plan, Impact 2030, with a focus on increasing access and opportunity, and, of course, SCU’s Jesuit values and Silicon Valley location.

Hoops of Hope

From pink socks to non-profit outreach, Santa Clara Women’s Basketball hosted their annual Pink Game to honor families impacted by cancer.

Flight and Food

Birds can be the key to understanding the environment and SCU students are taking a closer look.

Freedom Fighter

After 22 years leading the Northern California Innocence Project at Santa Clara Law, Linda Starr starts a phased retirement.