John Radcliffe, a distinguished alumnus of Pepperdine University’s class of 1962, embodied integrity, inspiration, and unwavering loyalty throughout his life. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, respected educator, and cherished coach, John Radcliffe passed away on September 22, 2009, at the age of 73, after a courageous battle with heart disease. His memory continues to inspire those who knew him, particularly within the Pepperdine and Los Angeles Lakers communities.
Born on May 28, 1936, in Orange, California, John Radcliffe spent his youth in Los Angeles. He graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1953 before serving his country in the Navy, stationed in New Jersey. Following his military service, he pursued higher education at Pepperdine College, then located on Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles. This period at Pepperdine became a cornerstone of his life, filled with enduring memories. It was at Pepperdine where John Radcliffe met Carolyn Christopher, who would become his wife and lifelong partner, graduating in the class of 1963.
One of John Radcliffe‘s most treasured experiences at Pepperdine was playing baseball under the guidance of the legendary coach John Scolinos. Coach Scolinos affectionately nicknamed John Radcliffe “Wheels,” recognizing his exceptional speed on the base paths. This experience ignited John Radcliffe’s passion for baseball and laid the groundwork for his successful coaching career at Torrance High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pepperdine, marking the beginning of his impactful journey in education and coaching.
John Radcliffe commenced his teaching and coaching career in Compton. In 1968, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the varsity baseball coach at Torrance High School, now known as South Torrance High. Two years later, John Radcliffe married Carolyn, his Pepperdine sweetheart, embarking on 39 years of a fulfilling marriage. Their family grew to include a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, Kris.
His career in education spanned over 35 years, encompassing roles at Willowbrook Junior High, Compton High School, Dominguez High School, and Torrance High School. Torrance High School became John Radcliffe‘s long-term home, where he dedicated over three decades to coaching various sports, including baseball, track, football, volleyball, and softball. Notably, he led the girls’ volleyball team to a CIF championship in his sole season as head coach, showcasing his versatility and coaching talent. Beyond coaching, John Radcliffe also served in administrative roles, contributing to the athletic and activities departments of the schools.
For an impressive 48 years, John Radcliffe held a unique and prestigious position with the Los Angeles Lakers as their official scorekeeper. This remarkable tenure is believed to be the longest for an official scorer in NBA history, solidifying John Radcliffe‘s legacy within the league.
In a past interview with Pepperdine’s alumni magazine, The Promenade, John Radcliffe shared with Jon Washington (class of 1963) the story of how he began working for the Lakers. “I was very fortunate,” John Radcliffe recounted. “I was running the scorer’s table for men’s basketball (and football) at Pepperdine, and Pep’s sports information director, Warren Turnbull, liked my work. When he took a position with the newly established L.A. Lakers, he offered me a part-time job doing statistics for $2.50 an hour.”
Duck Dowell, former Pepperdine athletic director and basketball coach, recognized John Radcliffe‘s exceptional talent early on. He even sought John Radcliffe‘s insights after a WCAC men’s basketball tournament in San Francisco in 1960. “Duck approached me with his all-tournament ballot and asked for my selections,” John Radcliffe recalled. “He said, ‘You observed more players than I did.'”
John Radcliffe‘s keen observation skills extended beyond college tournaments to the entire Lakers organization. From his initial modest earnings in 1961 to receiving his first Lakers championship ring in 2000, John Radcliffe lived a dream career, witnessing the Lakers’ evolution firsthand.
“Initially, I was hired to assist Chick Hearn with quicker stats for his radio broadcasts,” John Radcliffe explained, laughing. “Turnbull mentioned that Chick was urgently requesting statistics. As seasons passed, Chick would always ask, ‘How many years, Johnny?’ (I was the only one he called Johnny), knowing he had only been there one year longer than me.”
The Lakers franchise experienced significant changes during John Radcliffe‘s tenure. Jack Kent Cooke’s acquisition of the Lakers in 1965 for $5 million from Bob Short marked the beginning of a new era. Under Cooke’s ownership, the Lakers moved from the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena to the Forum in 1967 and adopted their iconic purple and gold colors. In 1979, Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers (along with The Forum and the Los Angeles Kings) from Cooke for $67.5 million. The franchise’s value has since soared, reaching an estimated $607 million.
John Radcliffe meticulously keeping score at a Los Angeles Lakers game, showcasing his long-standing dedication and expertise as the team’s official scorekeeper.
John Radcliffe witnessed the Lakers’ journey from their early years at the Sports Arena, their move to the Fabulous Forum in 1967, and their transition to the Staples Center. He was present for six world championships at the Forum, including five during the “Showtime” era, and observed four more titles at Staples Center, including their most recent victory in 2009.
He had the privilege of watching legendary Lakers players such as Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant. He also worked alongside renowned coaches like Bill Sharman, Paul Westhead, Pat Riley, and Phil Jackson, all while maintaining his position at the scorer’s table.
“He witnessed the entire Lakers legacy unfold in person,” noted Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter, who worked alongside John Radcliffe for 26 seasons. “Almost half a century’s worth.”
Tanter credits John Radcliffe for his own success as a public address announcer. “I owe a significant part of my craft and career to John. He taught me a great deal about being a public address announcer,” Tanter explained. “The cadence, the timing.”
While players and coaches changed over the years, John Radcliffe remained a constant presence, diligently performing his role at the scorer’s table. “John Radcliffe was the ultimate professional,” Tanter emphasized. “Always prepared, he developed a rhythm over the years. And he was a true gentleman and a good friend. We discussed sports, politics, and life. It was a privilege to work with him for so many years.”
One game that will forever be linked to John Radcliffe is Kobe Bryant’s remarkable 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. While fans celebrated each point, John Radcliffe faced the demanding task of meticulously recording every basket and point on a score sheet that typically lacked sufficient space for such an extraordinary performance.
Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game stands as the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history, surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points. John Radcliffe meticulously documented Kobe’s masterpiece, point by point. For the record, Kobe’s statistics were phenomenal: 28-46 field goals, 7-13 three-pointers, and 18-20 free throws. John Radcliffe became the author of a historic score sheet unlikely to ever witness such numbers again.
“It was challenging for John,” Tanter recalled. “He had to be incredibly precise in keeping score, mindful of space, and ensuring everything fit. But he accomplished it. Afterward, he made copies for all of us and for Kobe as a memento.”
Tanter, along with Robin Mahkorn, who managed the official clock and scoreboard for 27 years, and Gary Herman, who operated the 24-second shot clock for 30 years, formed the Lakers scorer’s table team alongside John Radcliffe.
Mahkorn remembers John Radcliffe‘s words shortly after Kobe’s 81-point game: “He said, ‘We will never witness this again. I will ensure you each receive a copy.’ He was always considerate of us.”
Tanter, Mahkorn, and Herman developed a deep bond with John Radcliffe, creating memories that would last a lifetime. “The four of us had a ‘Roundtable’ in the press room before each game,” Mahkorn shared. “We would share our opinions and simply converse. Many people respected John Radcliffe‘s insights when he spoke.”
When game time arrived, John Radcliffe ensured focus and continuity at the scorer’s table. “He was professional and maintained order at the table,” Mahkorn stated. “He reminded us to stay focused, while also possessing a great sense of humor.”
Mahkorn also spent time with John Radcliffe outside of work, including dinners with him and Carolyn and rounds of golf. “I will miss his stories and jokes,” Mahkorn added. “But what I will miss most is seeing Carolyn. I am truly grateful they held the ring ceremony for her.”
Six weeks after John Radcliffe‘s passing, Carolyn and Suzanne were invited to a special ceremony with the Los Angeles Lakers, honoring John Radcliffe at his beloved workplace. This tribute recognized his unwavering dedication, commitment, and professionalism to the organization he cherished, his respected colleagues, and the job he loved.
During a timeout in the first quarter of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers community paid tribute to John Radcliffe‘s commitment and devotion. Carolyn and Suzanne received a 2009 championship ring in John Radcliffe‘s honor. To further commemorate his legacy, the Lakers placed a replica of John Radcliffe‘s signature on the scorer’s table, officially renaming it the “John Radcliffe Scorer’s Table.”
“He was phenomenal,” Herman said. “We always functioned as a team. He was such a fixture here. He was the face of the table.”
Carolyn and Suzanne Radcliffe accepting John Radcliffe’s honorary Lakers championship ring during a special ceremony, a tribute to his decades of service and dedication.
In addition to his work with the Lakers, John Radcliffe also served as the official scorekeeper for the Los Angeles Sparks games. Herman emotionally took on the scorekeeping duties for a Sparks playoff game the week after John Radcliffe‘s death. Filling in for a legend and a friend was a profound honor for Herman.
“He was one in a million. He had a heart as vast as the universe,” Herman expressed.
John Radcliffe left an enduring mark on countless individuals. His memory, spirit, and grace will never be forgotten. It is comforting to imagine John Radcliffe reunited with Chick Hearn, keeping score and stats for celestial games.
“How many years, Johnny?” Chick asks, echoing his familiar question.
“73 years, Chick,” John responds.
“Boy Johnny, you lived a wonderful and blessed life,” Chick says. “Now, let’s catch a game from the heavenly sideline.”
“My pleasure, Chick. Hopefully, Wilt won’t aim for 100 tonight,” John chuckles. “81 was challenging enough.”
John Radcliffe is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Suzanne Hannemann and her husband Nick, son Kris and his wife Eden, granddaughters Victoria and Courtney, grandson Hunter, sister Susan Radcliffe and her husband Lee Zitko, and numerous nieces and nephews. His legacy of kindness and dedication continues to resonate with all who knew him.
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.” —Mother Teresa
