Bill Cartwright, a three-time All-American who led USF's men's basketball program to national prominence in the 1970's before going onto a 16-year NBA career, is returning to his alma mater as Director of University Initiatives.

In his new role, Cartwright will help develop connections with USF alumni and the San Francisco community, assist the Office of Development with raising funds, and mentor students from underrepresented groups. He starts in April.

"Bill Cartwright is one of USF's outstanding alumni, and I am very honored to welcome him home to the Hilltop," said University President Paul Fitzgerald, S.J. "He has had a brilliant career as an athlete, a coach, a business person, and an engaged citizen, and he will be a great mentor to our current students as well. All of us at USF congratulate him on being inducted into the West Coast Conference (WCC) Hall of Honor."

Cartwright is being inducted into the WCC Hall of Honor today in Las Vegas, during the WCC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. In 2001, the WCC also named Cartwright to its list of 50 greatest WCC student-athletes of all time.

"I have always felt a really strong connection with the University of San Francisco," Cartwright said. "USF is very special to me because so much of my growth occurred there. It is a great place of learning, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to come back."

Cartwright says he looks forward to focusing new attention on the university. "I don't think enough people know about USF, and I want it to be as recognized as Stanford and U.C.-Berkeley. I hope I can help bring USF the visibility I think it deserves."

One of the most appealing parts of the job, Cartwright said, is the opportunity to work with and mentor the next generation of USF students.

A native of Lodi, Calif. who attended Elk Grove High School, Cartwright is USF's all-time leading scorer with 2,116 points and ranks third all-time with 1,137 rebounds. He graduated as the WCC's all-time leading scorer and his point total still ranks sixth all-time in conference annals while his rebounding total ranks eighth. Cartwright still holds the school's single-season record for field goal percentage, making 66.7 of his shots from the floor during his senior season of 1978-79.
 
During his four-year career on the Hilltop from 1975-79, USF posted a 93-22 (.808) record, including a 45-7 (.865) mark in WCC play, captured three conference titles and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament and one NIT appearance.
 
During his sophomore season of 1976-77, the Dons won their first 29 games of the season and were ranked No. 1 in the nation for the majority of the season. Following the season, Cartwright earned his first of three WCC Player of the Year honors and was named a second team All-American by AP and UPI. He earned first team All-America honors as a junior and senior. In 2001, the WCC also named Cartwright to its list of 50 greatest WCC student-athletes of all time.
 
The third overall selection in the 1979 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, Cartwright played 16 seasons in the NBA with the Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Seattle Sonics. As a player, he won three NBA titles with legendary Bulls' teams on the early 90's and added two more rings as an assistant coach under Phil Jackson in 1997 and '98. He also served as head coach of the Bulls during the 2001-02 season.
 
Cartwright holds two degrees from the university—a B.A. in sociology and a master's degree in organizational development.

USF's Office of Marketing and Communications contributed to this report.