University Southern California Trojans
Heritage Association Spotlight: Brent Bickett
January 22, 2018 | Men's Water Polo, Trojan Athletic Fund, Features
The Heritage Association Spotlight was created to profile USC student-athlete alumni who give back to the University.
The Heritage Association had the chance to catch up with Brent Bickett, '86, while he was on a fishing and golf trip in New Zealand. Bickett, a former USC Men's Water Polo player and graduate of USC's Marshall School of Business, is usually all over the country, but he says that he always stays connected to the University.
Making the choice to sign with the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship was an easy decision. "It was between Stanford and USC, and USC was a no-brainer," he says. "The quality of academics at Marshall was a huge appeal for me. What also attracted me was that I knew the people on the team and that there was a spot for me among them."
In 1982, Brent (pictured) began his journey as a USC student-athlete alongside his older brother, Duane, who would later go on to play in the NFL for 11 years — something Brent boasts about frequently. "Duane was a star from an athletic perspective," says Brent. "He really succeeded in the athletic world, so I tried to be a successful athlete and an even more successful businessman."
"My athletic experience was more as that of a participant," he jokes. "I was a good athlete and a decent swimmer just by getting thrown into the pool with people who'd had great training all their lives. That was my experience. USC made me realize that when I got up every morning, I could compete."
USC aided Brent in his athletic career, but he still believes that the support he received with his academic endeavors was the most important part of his time as a student-athlete. "What I enjoyed most while competing for USC was that the athletic program supplied me with necessary discipline and rigor which assisted me in my academics and provided a healthy outlet for whatever personal frustrations I may have been experiencing."
According to Brent, the water polo program gave him a real sense of comradery and confidence. Through the direction of former Head Coach, John Williams, Brent recalls gaining the skillset and knowledge around the sport to be competitive in the pool or in the classroom. Though the Men's Water Polo program would not go on to win an NCAA title until 1998, Brent won in other ways.
"It really is the Trojan family and community [that supported me]," Brent says. "I was part of the Greek system with many of the water polo players, which was another family outside of just the water polo team. You really felt like you were part of something — it makes you proud to be a Trojan and that's invaluable."
As for the current Men's Water Polo program, Brent says "What Coach Jovan [Vavic] has done is unprecedented. He has tapped into local and international talent to create such a well-versed team and still maintain that strong sense of community. It's been phenomenal watching what he's been able to do."
Today, Brent resides in Santa Barbara, California as the Executive Vice President of Fidelity National Financial and President of Cannae Holdings, and is not the only Trojan in his household. "My wife is a Trojan and both my boys have attended USC. That sense of community is really what draws you back."
Brent has continued his relationship with the University and, unsurprisingly, with both academia and athletics. Outside of financial support and regular attendance at USC water polo and football games, Brent endowed a scholarship to USC Marshall School of Business, and is a guest lecturer on mergers and acquisitions for both the undergraduate and MBA programs.
"I've had great successes in my life and owe much of it to USC, so now I give back to the University as much and as often as I can," he says. "I'm thankful to USC for the foundational elements it provided and prepped me with for a future outside of water polo."
Fun Facts
Favorite places around campus.
"There used to be some fun Mexican food places we loved to go to. And, of course, the 901!"
Favorite past-time.
"Heading down to Newport Beach with my teammates to hit the surf."
Most embarrassing moment as a student-athlete.
"Once, the night before we played Stanford, we stayed at a teammates' place and woke up late the next morning and woke up late. We were rushing to the game and got pulled over. Needless to say, we got a ticket!"
One piece of advice for current student-athletes.
"Take your academics seriously and take advantage of the opportunities that avail themselves. It's nothing more than performing as well as you can in all areas—sports, socially, and in the classroom."
If you are a member of the USC student-athlete alumni community, or would like more information about the Heritage Association, please click here!
The Heritage Association had the chance to catch up with Brent Bickett, '86, while he was on a fishing and golf trip in New Zealand. Bickett, a former USC Men's Water Polo player and graduate of USC's Marshall School of Business, is usually all over the country, but he says that he always stays connected to the University. Making the choice to sign with the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship was an easy decision. "It was between Stanford and USC, and USC was a no-brainer," he says. "The quality of academics at Marshall was a huge appeal for me. What also attracted me was that I knew the people on the team and that there was a spot for me among them."
In 1982, Brent (pictured) began his journey as a USC student-athlete alongside his older brother, Duane, who would later go on to play in the NFL for 11 years — something Brent boasts about frequently. "Duane was a star from an athletic perspective," says Brent. "He really succeeded in the athletic world, so I tried to be a successful athlete and an even more successful businessman."
"My athletic experience was more as that of a participant," he jokes. "I was a good athlete and a decent swimmer just by getting thrown into the pool with people who'd had great training all their lives. That was my experience. USC made me realize that when I got up every morning, I could compete."
USC aided Brent in his athletic career, but he still believes that the support he received with his academic endeavors was the most important part of his time as a student-athlete. "What I enjoyed most while competing for USC was that the athletic program supplied me with necessary discipline and rigor which assisted me in my academics and provided a healthy outlet for whatever personal frustrations I may have been experiencing."
According to Brent, the water polo program gave him a real sense of comradery and confidence. Through the direction of former Head Coach, John Williams, Brent recalls gaining the skillset and knowledge around the sport to be competitive in the pool or in the classroom. Though the Men's Water Polo program would not go on to win an NCAA title until 1998, Brent won in other ways.
"It really is the Trojan family and community [that supported me]," Brent says. "I was part of the Greek system with many of the water polo players, which was another family outside of just the water polo team. You really felt like you were part of something — it makes you proud to be a Trojan and that's invaluable."
As for the current Men's Water Polo program, Brent says "What Coach Jovan [Vavic] has done is unprecedented. He has tapped into local and international talent to create such a well-versed team and still maintain that strong sense of community. It's been phenomenal watching what he's been able to do."
Today, Brent resides in Santa Barbara, California as the Executive Vice President of Fidelity National Financial and President of Cannae Holdings, and is not the only Trojan in his household. "My wife is a Trojan and both my boys have attended USC. That sense of community is really what draws you back."
Brent has continued his relationship with the University and, unsurprisingly, with both academia and athletics. Outside of financial support and regular attendance at USC water polo and football games, Brent endowed a scholarship to USC Marshall School of Business, and is a guest lecturer on mergers and acquisitions for both the undergraduate and MBA programs.
"I've had great successes in my life and owe much of it to USC, so now I give back to the University as much and as often as I can," he says. "I'm thankful to USC for the foundational elements it provided and prepped me with for a future outside of water polo."
Fun Facts
Favorite places around campus.
"There used to be some fun Mexican food places we loved to go to. And, of course, the 901!"
Favorite past-time.
"Heading down to Newport Beach with my teammates to hit the surf."
Most embarrassing moment as a student-athlete.
"Once, the night before we played Stanford, we stayed at a teammates' place and woke up late the next morning and woke up late. We were rushing to the game and got pulled over. Needless to say, we got a ticket!"
One piece of advice for current student-athletes.
"Take your academics seriously and take advantage of the opportunities that avail themselves. It's nothing more than performing as well as you can in all areas—sports, socially, and in the classroom."
If you are a member of the USC student-athlete alumni community, or would like more information about the Heritage Association, please click here!
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