If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re still trying to get acclimated to The Beach. To help make that transition easier, the Daily 49er sports staff has decided to offer up some information to give you a better understanding of Long Beach State athletics.
Consider it a sports history primer, of sorts.
As a sports fan you might be disappointed because you’re now attending a university that isn’t featured on ESPN everyday, but there have actually been some really historic moments in the 60-plus year history of LBSU. And since you’re here for a few years, might as well know something about the teams, right?
Women’s volleyball
By far the most successful sport at LBSU is the women’s volleyball team. Under the tenure of head coach Brian Gimmillaro, who’s entering his 26th season, the 49ers have won three NCAA National Championships. In 1998, led by NCAA Player of the Year Misty May-Treanor, The Beach became the first women’s volleyball team to go undefeated en route to a national title with a 36-0 record.
May-Treanor went on to win two Olympic gold medals in beach volleyball and became the most recognizable LBSU alum with a stint on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
Baseball
The Dirtbags have been to four College World Series, with the last appearance coming in 1998. More recently, however, LBSU has become known for putting players in Major League Baseball. The Dirtbags had three players take part in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, including Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria.
Players like Bobby Crosby and former MVP Jason Giambi are other notable names to play for LBSU.
Women’s basketball
One team that might surprise you as having a rich history is the women’s basketball team. In fact, the 49ers were once one of the elite teams in the entire nation.
Despite not qualifying for an NCAA tournament since 1992, the program made back-to-back Final Four appearances in 1987 and 1988.
The 49ers have made an imprint on the NCAA record books as well, ranking 10th in NCAA history on the all-time victories list with 793 — or, 32 more wins than reigning national champion Connecticut. The team also holds the record for most points scored in a single game (149 against San Jose State in 1987). In that same game, 49ers star Cindy Brown set the scoring record with 60 points – a record that still stands today.
Men’s basketball
The name Ed Ratleff might not mean much to you now, but the two-time All-American is a very important player in LBSU history.
4
NCAA National Titles
13
Retired jersey numbers
11
National Player of the Year awards
30
Olympic medalists
38
Players in the MLB(all-time)
1
NFL MVP (Terrell Davis, also SB XXXII MVP)
Ratleff was a star for three seasons at The Beach, beginning in 1970 under then-head coach Jerry Tarkanian. The 49ers went to the NCAA tournament in all of Ratleff’s three years at LBSU, but they could never get past John Wooden’s UCLA teams. LBSU got close in 1971 when it was up by two points with 5:46 remaining in the West final, but Ratleff fouled out — the only time in his career — and the Bruins won, 57-55.
The 2009-10 version of the 49ers got revenge last season when they beat UCLA for the first time in school history, 79-68.
Luscious Harris (you probably know him as the guy who wore a mask against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 NBA Finals) is also an important player in LBSU history. Along with former Utah Jazz forward Bryon Russell, Harris led a team into Allen Fieldhouse in 1993 that beat then-No. 1 Kansas, 64-49.
All three LBSU players now have their numbers retired.
Men’s volleyball
The men’s volleyball team has delivered the only other NCAA National Championship (1991). The 49ers also reached seven NCAA Final Fours, with the last appearance coming in 2008.
The Beach has made its impact more recently on the national level. Current head coach Alan Knipe is on leave while he preps Team USA for the 2012 Olympics.
Former 49ers Tom Hoff, David Lee and Scott Touzinsky led the U.S. to a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Tips to get you by
Dirtbags doesn’t mean anything bad at The Beach. It’s just the nickname for the LBSU baseball team, however, they are the only team on campus to use it. Every other team uses the 49ers.
If you want to get involved with the official student cheering section at LBSU, the Monson Maniacs, visit monsonmaniacs.com. And remember that any sporting event taking place on campus is free to students with an ID card.
If you’re going to a game at the Walter Pyramid, enter through the blue entrance.
Now that you know some things about Long Beach State, you can wear your $39.95 LBSU sweatshirt with a little bit more pride. And, please don’t wear another school’s gear while roaming this gigantic 323-acre campus.
And remember that it is now your obligation as a LBSU student to hate Cal State Fullerton.
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