November 20, 2019

Mike Gottlieb ’78 was recently featured in an LA Times article for the great work he does with his nonprofit organization that he founded in 1994 called WSA – Westcoast Sports Associates. WSA aims to raise money for the economically disadvantaged children in the Southern California area to be able to play sports. The funds raised each year help more than 10,000 kids participate in all sports, including but not limited to basketball, softball and soccer. 

The WSA also recently held their foundation’s fundraiser, which featured the great Roy Firestone interviewing Major League Hall of Famer, Rod Carew. Special guests in the past have included Bob Costas, Doc Rivers, John Wooden, Wayne Gretzky and Arnold Palmer.

Mike, current President of WSA, is constantly giving back to his passions. He is the Loyola Alumni Chapter Leader for Orange County; serves on the Loyola Alumni Association Executive Council as the VP of Chapter Leaders; and also serves on the Loyola High School Development Committee. He spoke with us about the history of his organization and the impact that Loyola had on him.

 

What was the reason for creating this foundation?

The other Founders of WSA and I all had similar experiences participating in youth sports, and we wanted to have an impact on the youth in underserved areas by funding programs that would give those who couldn’t afford to play youth sports, the opportunity to do so. We can’t imagine what our lives would have been like without sports.

How did your experience at Loyola inspire you to found this organization?

Everything I have in my life has been inspired by my experience at Loyola. Generally, the Jesuit philosophy, great teaching, great experiences, relationships with fellow students, parents, faculty, staff and coaches have molded me into the person I am. It’s a way of thinking, it’s a responsibility to give back, help others and have an impact on the world around me. That’s why I ran for US Congress in 1998. I felt I had talents and skills that could be put to use in politics. I thought I could do a really good job because I had spent time in the business world and was ideologically moderate. While I did not win the general election, it was a great experience and I was made aware of many underserved areas of Los Angeles that needed help.

Specifically, the life lessons I learned playing football at Loyola under two great coaches—Marty Shaughnessy, Steve Grady ’63 and many other coaches (Ed Hearn, Jon Dawson, Lyle Egan, Bill Herman)—have helped shaped who I am. I was an average athlete, so for me, sports was not a means to college or the pros—but it taught me discipline, work ethic, character, how to deal with adversity, teamwork and perseverance among other things.

“I am a Cub for Life – most of what I have done after college has been somehow connected to Loyola. My co-founder and business partner at Citation Capital Partners is Henry Bryan, Loyola class of 1983.  Many of my associates in the business world are Cubs. When I deal with Loyola alums, I can count on the character backbone that a Loyola education provides.”

What is your favorite memory from your 25 years of being associated with this organization?

Putting on a basketball clinic at Jim Gilliam Park (the first park that WSA funded in 1995). Some of the other WSA Board Members were there and it was great to actually see the funds put into action, interact with the kids and see the gratitude from the kids and their parents. One of the coaches at the Clinic was fellow Cub alum Toby Bailey ’94.

How can Loyola alums and families help or participate in the WSA?

Even with the $200k plus per year that WSA puts in these programs, there is still a great demand for more funds. Anyone who wants to learn more, donate, volunteer or be a member, can go to our website www.westcoastsports.org, contact me at mgottlieb@citationcp.com or Susie Lee at susielee@westcoastsports.org.