For the past three decades, Pepperdine University has sustained a level of athletic excellence that has resonated up and down the west coast and reverberated throughout the country. Eight NCAA championships and two AVCA championships have been captured by the Waves since 1985.
Numerous conference championships have been earned and endless All-Americans have been recognized for their accomplishments. As the Waves compete for a purpose and strive to build upon their championship tradition, there has been one constant over the past 30 years: the voice of Pepperdine basketball broadcaster Al Epstein.
Since 1985, Epstein has provided the play-by-play for men’s basketball, including a current streak of 908 consecutive broadcasts.
Epstein, along with Rick Hirtensteiner (baseball), Levy Middlebrooks (men’s basketball), Noelle Porter-Radnoti (women’s tennis) and Tom Sorensen (men’s volleyball) were inducted into the 2015 Athletics Hall of Fame on Sunday, Oct. 18. They join 110 other Wave legends who have etched their names into the lore of Pepperdine athletics.
Broadcaster Al Epstein
Pepperdine Director of Athletics Steve Potts began the evening by thanking the honorees for “representing the very best of Pepperdine athletics.”
Referring to the golden voice as an “incredible broadcaster,” Potts welcomed Epstein into the esteemed club of Pepperdine greats. In addition to men’s basketball, Epstein has broadcast men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s basketball and women’s soccer through the years.
“That is the longest shortest walk I’ve ever had,” Epstein said as he addressed the large gathering inside Firestone Fieldhouse.
Epstein may have only walked a mere 10 steps on to the stage to receive his Hall of Fame plaque, but the journey to get there lasted a long 30 years. He begins his 31st year as the “voice of the Waves” on Nov. 13 at Fresno State.
“I was really stunned and so grateful that they chose to put me in the Hall of Fame,” Epstein, who also was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, said. “It’s very special, and it’s great to know that you have been recognized for your work over all of these years.”
At Pepperdine, he has witnessed more than 450 wins, 21 of the Waves’ 1,000-point scorers and nine players who have reached the NBA. He has called games for eight of the 12 Pepperdine coaches in its basketball history. Epstein is as excited for the 2015-16 season as he was back in 1985-86.
“There has been a lot of history and it’s pretty amazing that I am still doing the games,” he said. “I love the coaches and I love the people here. It means a lot. It’s something that I will always remember. It’s a great honor and go Waves!”
Coach Rick Hirtensteiner
In a matter of a few weeks, Hirtensteiner’s life was engulfed by fulfillment and pure joy. Back in June, he learned of his induction into the HOF. Soon thereafter, he was named the 17th coach in Pepperdine baseball history.
“I was floored when Dr. Potts came into my office and told me that I was going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Hirtensteiner said. “It’s something that I really never thought about or expected. And I’m honored to be the coach at Pepperdine.”
The 1989 graduate of Pepperdine had served as an assistant coach for the past 17 years for the Waves. He had been a part of close to 600 wins during that time.
As a player, Hirtensteiner set school records for career total bases and triples, and he ranks among the best ever in hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, runs scored and games played. In 1989, he was the WCC Player of the Year and an NCAA All-American.
“This is an absolutely special place. I love Pepperdine,” he said. “It’s been a part of my upbringing and my belief system. This has been a blessing and I’m truly grateful.”
Pepperdine players
Middlebrooks was one of the greatest Pepperdine basketball players to set foot on campus. The powerful big man is the only Wave in the last 37 years to average a double-double over the course of an entire season.
He was named the WCC Player of the Year in 1988 after averaging 19.6 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game.
Porter-Radnoti earned All-American honors five times during her illustrious tennis career. She ranks third all-time in dual singles matches in program history.
Sorensen was a three-time volleyball All-American, a national champion and a U.S. Olympian. He led Pepperdine to the 1992 NCAA title and ranks No. 2 all-time in kills, aces and points for the Waves.