49er Athletes Prominent in Century Club 'Greatest Moments'

The Century Club of Long Beach cited a number of CSULB athletes and teams among the organization’s “100 Greatest Moments” in the city of Long Beach’s sports history.

The Century Club, a community organization of sports enthusiasts, developed the list in honor of its 50th anniversary this year. Among those recognized are:

George Allen–In 1990, the veteran NFL coach led CSULB’s football team to its first winning season in four years before dying on Dec. 31, 1990.

Ron Crawford–He became the first American inductee into the International Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1983.

Bob Ctvrtlik–A member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic gold medal men’s volleyball team, he now is a U.S. representative on the International Olympic Committee.

Jason Giambi–The Oakland Athletics baseball player was named the American League’s most valuable player for 2000, then later joined the New York Yankees.

Paul Goydos–He won his first PGA golf tournament, the Bay Hill Classic, in 1996.

Joan Lind Van Blom–She became the first U.S. Olympic women’s rowing medalist in 1976 by winning the silver in single sculls. She later married CSULB alumnus and men’s gold medal rower John Van Blom.

Misty May-Treanor–She and Kerri Walsh won the 2004 Olympic gold medal in beach volleyball.

Pat McCormick–She won two gold medals in diving at both the 1952 and 1956 Olympics.

Tom McKibbon and John Van Blom–They earned the first American title in a world rowing championship by winning the 1969 European Championships double sculls, then won at the 1970 Henley Regatta in England. McKibbon competed in two Olympics and Van Blom in four.

Mark O’Meara–A professional golfer for 26 years, he won both the Master’s and British Open championships in 1998.

LaTaunya Pollard Garrett–She won the 1983 Wade Trophy for nation’s best women’s college basketball player and was a 2001 inductee into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

John Rambo–He won the 1964 Olympic bronze medal in high jump.

Ed Ratleff–A member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, Ratleff and his teammates declined the silver medal after a contested referee call cost them the gold. He went on to a 10-year NBA career.

Mark Seay– He returned to CSULB football after losing a kidney from a gunshot wound, then became an NFL player and appeared in Super Bowl XXIX with the San Diego Chargers.

Kate Schmidt–She set the world record javelin throw record at 227-5 in 1977 and won Olympic bronze medals in 1972 and 1976.

Jeff Severson–The football defensive back had 19 interceptions in 1969 and went on to play in the NFL, appearing in Super Bowl VII with the Washington Redskins under Coach George Allen.

Tim Shaw–At the 1976 Olympics, the swimmer won the silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle and was a member of the gold medal 4x200 relay team. He switched to water polo and won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics.

Dwight Stones–He held the world record in high jump at 7-7 and won Olympic bronze medals in 1972 and 1976 and competed in 1984. He now is an Olympic television commentator.

Jered Weaver–He won every major collegiate baseball player of the year award in 2004 and was drafted by the Angels.

Dirtbags baseball team–They made four College World Series appearances in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1998. Their nickname comes from practicing on dirt fields during the 1989 season and their gritty playing style.

Men’s basketball team–The 49ers were ranked third in the nation in 1973 under Coach Jerry Tarkanian.

Women’s volleyball team–Their first NCAA national championship in 1989 featured Tara Cross-Battle, Sheri Sanders and Antoinette White. The 49ers also won the national title in 1993 and 1998 with an unbeaten season.