UCSB Athletics is pleased to announce that Robert “Chip” Schaefer, who was a part of 11 National Basketball Association championship teams in Chicago and Los Angeles, has been hired as the Gauchos’ Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark W. Massari announced Tuesday.
Most recently, Schaefer spent 12 years (1999-2011) with the Los Angeles Lakers, the last seven as Director of Athletic Performance/Player Development, where his charge was to make sure the players remained at peak condition throughout a grueling 82-game season and playoffs. In addition to the physical aspects of training, Schaefer oversaw the transition of young players into the NBA lifestyle and their professional development. He was part of five title teams with the Lakers.
“I give Diane O’Brien (Executive Associate Athletics Director) credit for adding someone of Chip’s caliber to our programs,” Massari said. “The student-athletes that represent this wonderful campus want to be successful. They want to be champions. Chip’s a big piece of this.”
Prior to joining the Lakers for the 1999-2000 season, Schaefer spent eight years as the head athletic trainer of the Chicago Bulls (1990-98) where he was part of six NBA championship teams.
Before entering the NBA full-time, Schaefer was on the staff of the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles where he worked with some of the nation’s elite professional and amateur athletes. In addition, he served as the head athletic trainer at Pete Newell’s Big Man Campus and the California Summer Pro Basketball League. Schaefer was also the head athletic trainer and strength coach at Loyola Marymount from 1987-90.
“When I was given the opportunity to work at such a great institution, with such a great department and in such a great place the decision was a no-brainer,” Schaefer said. “After 20 years of the NBA grind, I am at a stage in my life where this is where I want to be and I am very excited about the opportunity.”
A native of Deerfield, Ill., Schaefer received his BA in physical education and sports medicine from the University of Utah in 1983. In 1990, he earned his master’s degree in counseling from Loyola Marymount. Upon his graduation from Utah, he worked as the head athletic trainer for the U.S. Men’s Ski Team from 1984-86.
Schaefer and his wife, Andra, have one son (Alec) and one daughter (Emily). Alec is a 2009 graduate of UCSB.
Schaefer replaces Jeremy Bettle who was recently named Director of Strength and Conditioning for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.
