From 1983 until 1998, the Cerritos College men's basketball team was a perennial powerhouse, and it started at the top with head coach Jack Bogdanovich. During his time with the Falcons, Bogdanovich posted a 411-91 (.821) record, which included three State Championships, three more trips to the state tournament and 12 South Coast Conference championships. On Monday, October 10, Bogdanovich was one of six to be inducted into the San Pedro Sportswalk to the Waterfront for his contributions to the city of San Pedro and its community.

 

    A graduate of San Pedro High School in 1959, Bogdanovich was named the San Pedro Athlete of the Year and made the All L.A. City Basketball Team his senior year. Bogdanovich, a celebrated baseball and basketball player, was also recognized as this year's Trani Award winner, which honors the recipient's contribution to local athletics. The Trani Award is named after the San Pedro family that owned Majestic Café, a prominent local restaurant in the South Bay that served as the premiere hangout for all Los Angeles area athletes. The induction ceremony was held in San Pedro's historic downtown district along Sixth Street between Palos Verdes and Centre streets.

 

    After inheriting a talent-laden team from Bob Foerster, who had to step down due to an illness, Bogdanovich guided the Falcons to a 32-3 record, which culminated in an 88-86 triple-overtime win in the state championship game over Jerry Tarkanian's Pasadena City College team. Just six years later, Bogdanovich and his team defeated Chabot College, 85076 to win their second title and added a third in 1992 with an 89-87 win over top-ranked West Valley College. In his final season in 1998, Bogdanovich led his team to the state quarterfinals, but a 69-68 loss to Canada on a last-second three-pointer ended his hopes of another title.

 

    Bogdanovich coached seven conference Players of the Year, as well as future NBA player Tom Tolbert, who was named the state's Co-Player of the Year in 1985-86. He saw 94 of his players earn athletic scholarships, and his former players  also include Russ May (Cerritos College men's basketball head coach), Damon Andrews (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area broadcaster), David Breig (Santa Ana College head coach), Willie Joseph (Longtime career in Australia), Mike Coffin (Longtime player in Europe), Doug Newby (Longtime player in Europe), Joe Jennum (Mt. San Antonio Dean of Athletics), Darius Rutledge (former Cerritos College assistant coach), Stacey Nolan (women's basketball head coach in Europe).

 

    San Pedro Sportswalk to the Waterfront is the South Bay's answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The annual ceremony honors its great athletic inductees with the installation of bronze plaques into the sidewalk in downtown San Pedro, according to the Sportwalk's official website. There are currently about 150 plaques celebrating sports greats honored through the years.