STOCKTON, Calif. – Former Pacific men's basketball standout and longtime East Union High basketball coach and teacher Bill Stricker recently passed away on Friday, July 3 at age 72.
Before playing with the Portland Trailblazers for one season in the NBA in 1970, Stricker was a star for the Tigers during his time in Stockton.
Overall, the 6'9" forward still holds records in over ten categories at Pacific:
-14th all-time in program history in total points (1,270), member of the 1,000-point club
-16th all-time in program history in rebounding (624 total, 8.43 average)
-5th in career scoring average (17.16 ppg, 1968-1970)
-10th in career field goals made (465, 1968-1970)
-10th in career free throws made (340, 1968-1970)
-most point scored in a single game (44 vs. Portland, 12/21/68)
-most field goals made in a single game (18 vs. Portland, 12/21/68)
-most free throws made in a single season (178, 1968-69)
-2nd highest scoring average in a single season (22.38 ppg, 1969-70)
-2nd most free throws made in a single season (178, 1969-70)
-7th most total points in a single season (582, 1969-70)
-7th most free throws attempted (224, 1969-70)
Despite his short stint with Portland, the Tiger legend returned home to his local community to coach and teach shortly thereafter. Serving as the head men's basketball coach of East Union High School in Manteca, Calif. for over 32 years, Stricker compiled a 367-277 overall record and even coached 2010 NBA Coach of the Year, Scott Brooks.
For these efforts, the Lancers officially designated their hardwood at Dalben Gym as "Bill Stricker Court" in 2017. This past February, Stricker was also inducted into the Lancer Hall of Fame in addition to being a member of the 1993-94 Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame class.
Most recently, Bill and his family spent time working the replay system for men's and women's basketball games at Pacific. If Bill could not make it, his son Matt or sister Stacia would always make sure to step in. Additionally, his wife, Susan, is never too far away at games, sitting just a few rows back from or behind the scorer's table.
Pacific Athletics offers their deepest condolences to the Stricker family. Furthermore, the Tiger family also thanks Bill for his tremendous energy and spirit during his time on campus in support of our Tigers throughout his life.
The Stricker family has stated that services are pending and may be announced next month.
For updates and more information on the Pacific men's basketball program, be sure to follow @PacificMensBB on Twitter, @pacificmensbb on Instagram and @PacificMensBB on Facebook.
