Called Lessons from the Bench<\/a>, Bakke\u2019s 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\u2019s helpful for those all involved in athletics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Especially parents with children involved in youth sports.<\/p>\n \u201cI wrote the book to maybe try to help players break the code of how to find purpose in that (bench) role,\u201d said Bakke, now 52 and an assistant principal at Gig Harbor High in the greater Tacoma area. \u201cTo help families understand that their kid is not broken for not being the star player.<\/p>\n \u201cBench players help teams win.\u201d<\/p>\n But perhaps more than sports advice and insight that Bakke<\/a> believes can also be applied to everyday life beyond athletics, Bakke\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d Bakke said. \u201cWhen I\u2019m down and need to be picked up, I go to Fresno. It\u2019s my happy place. It\u2019s a place that shaped so much of who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n So it\u2019s fitting that Bakke will hold a book launch in Fresno on April 24 (3:30-5:30 p.m.) at The Well Coffeehouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe book launch is in Fresno as a thank you,\u201d Bakke said. \u201cYou know how it is: You tell people you\u2019re from Fresno, (other) Californians, they\u2019ll roll their eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Fresno is about the people.\u201d<\/p>\n A Gary Colson<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n But just before his final year of college basketball, Fresno State made a massive coaching change and hired Jerry Tarkanian \u2014 arguably the most famous Bulldogs alumnus at the time and a national champion coach while at UNLV.<\/p>\n Bakke knew Tarkanian would bring in his own players \u2014 more talented and highly coveted guys \u2014 to Fresno State. But what would that mean for Bakke, he thought to himself?<\/p>\n A lot of other players who played under Colson were encouraged to transfer.<\/p>\n Bakke, too, thought he might be shown the door.<\/p>\n But he said a few \u201cinfluential\u201d Fresno State boosters encouraged Tarkanian to keep Bakke aboard because they liked his energy and effort and overall good character.<\/p>\n Since Bakke also was going to be senior, keeping him on the roster also would not derail Tarkanian\u2019s big picture development of his roster.<\/p>\n So the Hall of Fame coach agreed.<\/p>\n Then he shared some of his insights with Bakke about roster construction.<\/p>\n \u201cHe told me his belief of what makes a great team: \u2019You 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.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cHe goes, \u2018Do you know where you fit in?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Yeah, Coach. I think I get the picture.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He became a key contributor off the bench, often a spokesman for the players, and a fan favorite.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was all kind of surreal,\u201d Bakke said.<\/p>\n In turn, Bakke\u2019s love for Fresno is so strong, he believes those who come to Fresno State \u2014 whether as an athlete or a student \u2014 but transfer a year or two later, likely miss out on love.<\/p>\n To be loved.<\/p>\n And, all there is to love about Fresno.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 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,\u201d Bakke said. \u201cBut you\u2019re missing out on everything that Fresno has to offer.<\/p>\n \u201cFresno doesn\u2019t get to know you. Because when they do get that opportunity and time to know you \u2014 I experienced it \u2014 you get to feel a really strong connection to the community and Fresno.<\/p>\n \u201cThe love and support from the Fresno community,\u201d Bakke added, \u201cthat changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n
Brandon Bakke dives after a loose ball during Fresno State\u2019s 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\u2019 71-68 victory. HECTOR AMEZCUA The Fresno Bee <\/p>\n