Brian Glucksman ’98
Brian Glucksman epitomizes the term “Oakwood Lifer.” Growing up in the Oakwood community, as his older sister, Joanne, was an Oakwood student when Brian and his twin sister Stephanie (also honored this year) were born, Brian started Oakwood in elementary school and graduated from the high school in 1998. Brian then returned to Oakwood in 2005 as a legendary teacher and coach after college.
Brian got his start in Oakwood athletics as a young manager of his older sister’s basketball team, thanks to coach Mike Smith, then Joanne’s basketball coach and now Brian’s colleague, who let him sit on the bench and be a part of the learning and development of the team. As an athlete, he was a four-year basketball player, making All League as a senior. Brian also was a four-year volleyball player who made All League three times and went on to play as the setter on the LA team in the 1996 Maccabee games, going undefeated and winning the Gold Medal. After high school Brian went on to play volleyball at the University of Colorado in Boulder as a setter and was captain for two years.
Brian credits his parents, siblings, coaches, teammates, and Oakwood School for his success in life and his love of sports. At any mention of his own accomplishments, he quickly acknowledges his parents’ undivided love and support of their children’s endeavors, which included incalculable hours spent playing with and watching them in sports. Brian also warmly recalls the mentorship of Mike Smith, the inspiring advice—“Pain is temporary, pride is forever”—of Dave Smith, the sports wisdom and insights into the nuances of athletics he gleaned from Angel Hardy, and the lessons he learned about leadership on and off the court from volleyball coach Rainy Smith.
He also recognizes that his busy, multifaceted Oakwood schedule, which included his studies, athletics, technical theatre (as a “Techie”) and a job as a Recreation Assistant at North Weddington gym, taught him the skill of juggling the difficult schedule of collegiate sports while he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and managing his demanding schedule post-graduation. He is proud to now be able to pass on life lessons to the next generation of Oakwood Student-Athletes.
Stephanie Glucksman Sherman ’98
Like her twin brother Brian, Stephanie Glucksman also grew up at Oakwood. Her drive and determination in athletics began at an early age with the support of her parents, who she says never missed a game! Her passion for sports was fostered at Oakwood Elementary by PE teacher (and later coach) Mike Smith, who instilled in her from the beginning the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, accountability, commitment, and the ability to earn and grow from mistakes. Throughout her high school career, she was further motivated and taught by exceptional coaches: Mike Smith (basketball), Dave Smith (softball), and Rainy Chrisman Smith (volleyball). These coaches became not only mentors but treasured friends with whom Stephanie has remained in contact.
Stephanie was one of the most versatile and accomplished athletes in Oakwood history. A four year varsity athlete in three sports—volleyball, basketball and softball—Stephanie captained each team. In basketball she was the starting point guard her freshman year and guided her team to a Liberty League championship. She was the leading scorer and earned first team All League honors all four years as the team captured several CIF playoff berths.
In softball, she was the starting short stop her freshman year. Stephanie was the lead-off hitter, ending her career with an on base percentage of over .900 and making All-League both her junior and senior year. She also led the team in stolen bases.
In volleyball, she played setter and earned second team All League honors as a senior. (She was also fortunate to have her twin brother Brian with her each step of the way, providing guidance as the manager of her team).
Stephanie was honored as Oakwood’s Athlete of the Year in 1998 based on her depth and range of accomplishments. After Oakwood, Stephanie continued her athletic participation at the intramural level at UC San Diego and in graduate school at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Stephanie has built a successful career in Corporate Finance, and inspired at young age by her parents, siblings and coaches, sports remain a very important aspect of her life.
