Who takes annual vacation trips to Fresno?
Former Fresno State basketball player Brandon Bakke does.
“It’s my happy place,” said Bakke, who lives in Washington state.
A former player under legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian, Bakke played basketball for the Bulldogs from 1991-1996 and developed such a strong connection to the central San Joaquin Valley and Fresno State from his college days that he’s written a book that recounts some of his favorite memories in Fresno.
Called Lessons from the Bench, Bakke’s new book offers insight and firsthand knowledge of the importance of role players and bench players, as well as lessons on how to handle not being the star, in a book that’s helpful for those all involved in athletics.
Especially parents with children involved in youth sports.
“I wrote the book to maybe try to help players break the code of how to find purpose in that (bench) role,” said Bakke, now 52 and an assistant principal at Gig Harbor High in the greater Tacoma area. “To help families understand that their kid is not broken for not being the star player.
“Bench players help teams win.”
But perhaps more than sports advice and insight that Bakke believes can also be applied to everyday life beyond athletics, Bakke’s book (which also shares stories of other athletes whom Bakke spent time with, like Trent Dilfer and Stephen Spach) highlights what he believes makes Fresno so special.
“This book in a lot of ways is kind of my love letter to Fresno and what it meant to me and the people who I care about so much,” Bakke said. “When I’m down and need to be picked up, I go to Fresno. It’s my happy place. It’s a place that shaped so much of who I am.”
So it’s fitting that Bakke will hold a book launch in Fresno on April 24 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) at The Well Coffeehouse.
“The book launch is in Fresno as a thank you,” Bakke said. “You know how it is: You tell people you’re from Fresno, (other) Californians, they’ll roll their eyes.
“But Fresno is about the people.”
Former Fresno State basketball player Brandon Bakke shares some of his fondest memories of his time with the Bulldogs in his new booked called Lessons from the Bench, including what it was like to be coached by legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian. Bakke will hold a book launch April 24 at The Well Coffeehouse. BRANDON BAKKE
A Gary Colson recruit out of the state of Washington, Bakke worked his way up the depth chart to become a sixth man for the Bulldogs and had hopes of becoming a starter by his senior year.
But just before his final year of college basketball, Fresno State made a massive coaching change and hired Jerry Tarkanian — arguably the most famous Bulldogs alumnus at the time and a national champion coach while at UNLV.
Bakke knew Tarkanian would bring in his own players — more talented and highly coveted guys — to Fresno State. But what would that mean for Bakke, he thought to himself?
A lot of other players who played under Colson were encouraged to transfer.
Bakke, too, thought he might be shown the door.
But he said a few “influential” Fresno State boosters encouraged Tarkanian to keep Bakke aboard because they liked his energy and effort and overall good character.
Since Bakke also was going to be senior, keeping him on the roster also would not derail Tarkanian’s big picture development of his roster.
So the Hall of Fame coach agreed.
Then he shared some of his insights with Bakke about roster construction.
“He told me his belief of what makes a great team: ’You know, you need to have seven really talented, athletic basketball players reeking of just raw basketball ability. And then you need to have about three guys who work really hard, have high character and get really good grades.’
“He goes, ‘Do you know where you fit in?’
“’Yeah, Coach. I think I get the picture.’”
Brandon Bakke dives after a loose ball during Fresno State’s game against Utah in late February 1996 at Selland Arena. The Bulldogs upset the nationally ranked Utes (No. 8) that night, with Bakke scoring three points in the Bulldogs’ 71-68 victory. HECTOR AMEZCUA The Fresno Bee
With consistent energy and effort at practices and in limited game times, though, Bakke once again worked his way up the depth chart to establish a role for himself.
He became a key contributor off the bench, often a spokesman for the players, and a fan favorite.
“It was all kind of surreal,” Bakke said.
In turn, Bakke’s love for Fresno is so strong, he believes those who come to Fresno State — whether as an athlete or a student — but transfer a year or two later, likely miss out on love.
To be loved.
And, all there is to love about Fresno.
“In this era of NIL and transfer portals, my biggest fear and source of sadness of athletics today is athletes who come (to Fresno State) for one year and leave,” Bakke said. “But you’re missing out on everything that Fresno has to offer.
“Fresno doesn’t get to know you. Because when they do get that opportunity and time to know you — I experienced it — you get to feel a really strong connection to the community and Fresno.
“The love and support from the Fresno community,” Bakke added, “that changed my life.”
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Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.