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2001 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year Dick Nicolopulos has spent more than 29 years at the University of San Francisco as a student, professor, award-winning administrator, and (for the past 21 years) as a head coach of the men's golf program. If one thing has remained constant throughout his tenure, it is a drive for excellence spurred by an undying affection for his alma mater.
Nicolopulos path to the head coaching post began more than two decades ago. During his seventh year as an employee at USF, Nicolopulos became a member of the Lake Merced Country Club, and developed a strong interest in the game of golf. Shortly after, alumni representatives and athletic administrators presented him with the opportunity to direct the men's golf program; and he accepted.
Nicolopulos became a member of the USF family in 1966. His brother, Bob, was a student at the Hilltop, and played for the Dons baseball team. After graduating from Serra High School, Nicolopulos followed in his brother's footsteps. He began his career at USF as a history major, and then made a decision that would affect the course of his next 20 years; he switched to communications. Nicolopulos graduated from USF with degrees in Communications and History in 1973.
After graduating, Nicolopulos quickly dove into his teaching career. Throughout his stint in higher education, he received many honors and was recognized for his endless accomplishments. In 1978, he was presented with the Fr. William J. Dunne Award, given to a member of the University family who exemplifies an exceptional degree of professionalism as well as outstanding dedication to the ideals of the University and to the service of the University community.
As the head coach for men's golf, Nicolopulos led the team to victory year after year and has built one of the most consistent and dominant teams in the West Coast Conference since his arrival. Prior to his first season at the helm, the USF men's golf team finished ninth during the 1980 campaign and failed to finish in the top half of the league in any of the five previous seasons.
Nicolopulos made an immediate impact, guiding the Dons to the WCC championship in his first season in 1981. All told, Nicolopulos has guided USF to seven WCC men's golf titles (1981-1984, 1986, 1988, 1990), including four consecutive from 1981-1984. In addition, the Dons have posted 10 runner-up finishes at the WCC Championship, including the past three seasons. Under his direction no USF men's golf team has placed lower than fourth in the WCC Tournament.
Since the league began awarding all-conference honors in 1994, 13 members from the USF men's golf team have earned All-WCC accolades and Nicolopulos earned WCC Coach of the Year honors in 2001. In WCC championship play nine Dons have won medalist honors, most recently Fernando Gomez in 2000.
Included among his many prominent past players is current PGA Tour member Todd Fischer, a 1992 All-American. The players in the golf program have learned about striving and commitment and have been fortunate enough to reap the rewards. He has spent more than half his life on the Hilltop, and from that time, has seen the USF golf reach the top.
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