Bittler '90 keeps an eye on Cowher

Records are meant to be broken. And as far as one former Princeton basketball star is concerned, a threat to her longstanding record is welcome.

While Sandi Bittler '90 has held the record for most points scored in a career — 1,683 — for 17 years, senior forward and captain Meagan Cowher is hot on her heels. While Cowher still needs over 350 points to catch Bittler, the possibility of the record breaking is very real. This, however, gives Bittler newfound fame on campus.

"I'd actually like to thank [Meagan] because with the talk of her breaking the record, my name gets brought up again," Bittler joked. "In discussing her, I'm getting remembered."

While the career points record is Bittler's most prestigious, she still holds quite a few others, including the highest scoring average for one season and most three-point field goals made in a game, career and season. In a handful of other categories, she continues to be ranked in the top three.

"I like the three-point records because they define my type of game," Bittler said. "But I think the one I'm most proud of is the individual points record. Only Bill Bradley ['65] has scored more points in a Princeton career, and to be in his company really means a lot."

In 1990, after four years as a Tiger starter, Bittler didn't want to leave the basketball world behind. After graduation, she moved to New York City and sent a blind application to the NBA. With low expectations based on her lack of experience in marketing, Bittler was pleasantly surprised when she was hired.

"I was a biology major considering going to medical school, so I clearly got the job based on the strength of my basketball resume and their faith in the education at Princeton," Bittler said.

After seven years of working in the NBA's marketing department, Bittler took a job with Nike in Portland, Ore. She was given the opportunity to head the women's sports marketing department. Here she leaned on the skills she learned as a player in the Tiger uniform.

"In a leadership position, teamwork aspects and goal orientation was critical," Bittler said. "When I started at the NBA, I didn't have marketing training. In my seven years there and then [during my] my time at Nike, I used all of the skills I had learned on the basketball court to figure out how to successfully do my job."

Three years later, Bittler made the jump from Nike to another Portland-based organization, the fledgling Portland Fire, the newest WNBA franchise. Here she quickly made her mark, becoming the vice president for business operations. The team, however, lasted only three years before it was forced to fold in 2002.

After roughly 30 years spent around basketball, Bittler decided it was time to hang up her shoes, so to speak. Her next career move took her in a whole new direction — real estate. She currently works as a broker for the Windermere Real Estate firm and is busy raising three children.

While the distance between Portland and Princeton may be great, the Tigers are never that far from her heart. Bittler said she maintains friendships with people living in the Princeton area and receives updates on the basketball team.

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"My friends let me know when the team is doing well," Bittler said. "I'm disappointed they've gotten off to a slow start this year, but I'm hoping they can pick it up."

While the team's general status is usually the only news conveyed, recently Bittler has also been filled in on Cowher's scoring activity and her potential for a record-breaking season.

"If the record is going to be broken, I'm glad it would be done so by someone like Meagan," Bittler said. "I've followed her career for four years and really commend her dedication. The record would be [a] testament to her work ethic and her ability to stay healthy in a long, rough season."

While the school may wait with bated breath to see if Cowher will pull off a record-breaking season, Bittler is content to sit at home and reflect.

"It's fun to be sitting at home, taking care of three children, and [remembering] the time when fans were cheering for us," Bittler said. "I have such wonderful memories of playing at Princeton. I will be glad to pass on my record when that time comes."