Life is good — and busy — for Tommy Hawkins.
The former NBA star and longtime Malibu resident calls himself an “eclectic,” with a lengthy resume that includes work as a jazz DJ, poet, sportscaster, franchise executive and professional public speaker.
“Who knows what I haven’t done,” he said.
Now Hawkins, 78, has one more feather in his cap: a member of Notre Dame’s Basketball Ring of Honor. He became just the seventh alumnus inducted into the ring at his alma mater’s arena before a sellout crowd on Jan. 17 in South Bend, Ind.
“I can’t tell you what a thrill it was,” he said, adding that he received a three-minute standing ovation and was joined by six of his former teammates.
The university recognized the indelible mark Hawkins, nicknamed “The Hawk,” left as the school’s first African-American All-American player and the program’s all-time leading rebounder. He amassed 1,318 rebounds while playing three years (1956-1959) for the Fighting Irish.
His rebounding total is the longest-running record in the 109-year history of Notre Dame basketball.
“I can’t believe that a record that I set over half a century ago still stands,” he said.
Upon graduating with a sociology degree, the Minneapolis Lakers drafted Hawkins fourth overall in 1959. He played three years in Minneapolis, four in Cincinnati, then three more in L.A. after the Lakers moved. Hawkins played among the likes of Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain before retiring at the tender age of 31.
“I left the game before it left me,” he said.
At 6-foot-5, the amicable, baritone-voiced Hawkins hasn’t slowed down one bit since his playing days. After retiring from the NBA in 1969, Hawkins easefully transitioned into a career as a public speaker and eventual sports broadcaster.
Even while he was playing, Hawkins began working in broadcast and as a public speaker. Since then, it’s come easy.
“I have never seen a microphone I didn’t want to speak into,” he laughed.
While producing baseball programming and working as sports director for KABC in the 1980s, he became very familiar in the halls of Dodger Stadium.
“I spent years entwined in baseball,” he said.
He was eventually hired as vice president for communications in the Dodgers organization, a post he held for 18 years.
Outside of sports, he’s gone on to develop a partnership with Pepperdine University, hosting quarterly town hall forums that bring professors and professionals together. The program is known as “Riding the Waves.”
Three years ago, he published his first book of poetry, “Life’s Reflections: Poetry for the People.”
On Saturday nights, listeners can hear the lifelong jazz-lover hosting a two-hour show on KJAZZ, 88.1.
“I’ve been collecting jazz records since I was 12 years old,” Hawkins mused.
Hawkins played trumpet in his high school band, but it was his older brother who piqued his interest in the genre.
He listed off Kenny Burrell and Bobby Rodriguez as some of his favorite musicians — and good friends.
He, his wife Layla and youngest daughter Neda live in a home up Las Flores Canyon Road.
Hawkins came to Malibu more than 30 years ago.
“I love canyons,” he said.
Hawkins called Malibu a “bedroom community” that has had some slow growth over the years, but hasn’t changed too much since he’s been here.
“I like the village atmosphere that is Malibu,” Hawkins said.
His best memories in town come from a small group of locals who used to regularly sit outside of Dietrich’s Coffee (now Starbucks in the Malibu Colony Plaza).
In cementing his legacy for the past 50-plus years, Hawkins has found great professional and personal success. And there’s plenty more in store, he said.
“I’m an eclectic cosmic functionary who can’t wait for the next caper to unfurl.”
Losing Ernie Banks
Hawkins considered baseball trailblazer Ernie Banks a close friend. Banks died of a heart attack over the weekend in Chicago, leaving a barrier-breaking legacy as the first black player on the Chicago Cubs.
The two met while Hawkins was playing at Notre Dame and Banks played for the Cubs.
In Los Angeles, they ran into each other many times at Dodger Stadium.
“I emceed a lot of events,” Hawkins said. “And Ernie would always come to Dodger Stadium. He was just a lover of the game.”
“[He was] personable, engaging and absolutely approachable,” Hawkins added.
The Lakers today
With news that star Kobe Bryant is out for the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Hawkins shook his head when asked if he thought Bryant would come back next season.
He compared the floundering Lakers to the Chicago Bulls after Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen retired.
“It took them 10 years to bounce back,” he said.
Hawkins believes the Lakers need to focus on drafting young talent in order to successfully rebuild the franchise and said head coach Byron Scott is the right man to have at the helm.
“It’ll take time and strategic drafting of talent,” he said. “The Lakers have a long road to travel to get back to respectability.”
