Inspiring Conversations with Bernard Bickerstaff of Bickerstaff Family Sports

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernard Bickerstaff.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in a basketball family is where it all started. Basketball has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up being a gym, we were either at a game, practice, or camp. I got to watch my father Bernie Bickerstaff be successful in many ways in industry and it is where I knew I wanted to be. When my career as a player came to an end I knew I still needed and wanted the sport in my life.

In 2017, I started BSQUARE basketball, it was my first direction as a coach. With basketball being a part of my family it was easy for me to get involved and I never had to worry about getting in a gym as a kid. I wanted to give kids the same opportunities that I had. Our first BSQUARE team was developed into one of the top teams in the state.

Post-COVID, my direction changed. This is where Bickerstaff Family Sports came from. The idea came from my siblings JB, Cydni, and I. It allowed myself and my siblings to be connected through basketball again. We started it to have a positive impact on the Youth through Sports and Education. Our introduction was launching competitive and affordable Basketball Tournaments. Not only do we run tournaments but we have our first girl’s middle school team through Bickerstaff Basketball and have the chance to start developing kids at a young age.

Not only have I had the chance to start on my own I also have been able to be the head coach for Alameda International Jr./Sr. High. Many know this school does not have the best track record, but my staff and I have been working hard to get young girls to want to be a part of something bigger than basketball. This is finally the time we have girls that are all in or as we say B-ALL-IN. Our new athletic director has been extremely open and helpful in building not just our program but all programs. He has been on board with Bickerstaff Family Sports and all we are trying to accomplish.

We have the opportunity to work with Blaze Bradford Daye Collier and others to take a team to travel out of the country summer of 2024 to Italy and Greece, to not only play but to get to see and experience other cultures. With these collaborations, we will host events to raise money to fund the experiences we want to give the youth. We will also be starting a youth sports podcast to discuss all things sports and real-life situations.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been hard work, since we are a new player in the arena, we have to build our brand and reputation and inform people of who we are.

The difficulty is keeping them affordable with the rising costs for referees and venues.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bickerstaff Family Sports was founded by Bernard Bickerstaff, JB Bickerstaff, and Cydni Bickerstaff. We have planned a year’s worth of tournaments with exciting concepts. Such as All-Star games, that will showcase top talent from each grade level. Changing of the Guards for students going into their next school year. Finally, we have Smoke Season where all the top teams in the region will compete.

Going forward we will be launching basketball camps in 2024, to teach our youth, core fundamentals, IQ, and developmental concepts.

We will host community events to help bring the community together. We will also hold fundraising events to help offset the cost. Many seem to forget how expensive playing on a competitive AAU team can be. Along with giving back, we will be sponsoring families during Christmas time, and for Thanksgiving, we do a turkey giveaway to families in need.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
We wouldn’t say there was luck, it has taken hard work, time, and effort to get this off the ground.

We have surrounded ourselves with people with the same vision and in it for the right reason. This is bigger than basketball for us.

Pricing:

• Tournaments: $225 per team
• $175 for multiple teams
• 3 games are guaranteed.

Contact Info:

• Website: bickerstafffamilysports.com
• Instagram: @bickerstafffamilysports
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088864248115
• Twitter: @bickerstaffFam
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bickerstafffamilysports