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Vol.7, No 44, November 15, 1999 
[Sports]

Sandefur: 40 years at LBSU

By Jose Corado
Daily Forty-Niner

Randy Sandefur was a two-sport athlete and coach for Long Beach State who thrived in them.

He played volleyball from 1959-61, and basketball two seasons, 1959-60 and 1961-62.

"It was a great combination,"  Sandefur said.

"Basketball was my money sport and volleyball was my fun sport."

He played guard under LBSU basketball Head Coach Bill Paterson for one year and under Dick Perry for two years.

He coached the 49er basketball team one season (1967-68), the year before Jerry Tarkanian was hired.

Back in those days, the basketball program at LBSU was not established as a reputable basketball program.

There was not even an athletic department ­ only a physical education department.

The year Sandefur arrived at LBSU, the men's basketball program earned a name for themselves and finished with a 12-13 record.

Then Tarkanian took over and in 1970 Sandefur was named as head coach of the men's volleyball team.

"This had always been my dream," he said.

Sandefur enjoyed his greatest success at LBSU as head volleyball coach from 1969-75.

He led the 49er volleyball team to a pair of NCAA runner-up finishes in 1970 and 1973, as well as third-place finishes in 1971 and 1972.

His overall record was 35-29, with one conference title championship in 1973, when the 49ers went 15-3.

He ranks being inducted into the 49er Athletic Hall of Fame as one of his greatest moments in 40 years at LBSU.

"This is the best honor I've ever received," Sandefur said.

"The success of the volleyball program got me the recognition."

He grew up playing volleyball on the beach in Santa Monica.

But basketball was his love.

He went to Culver City High School and played four different sports.

Times were different back then, he said, and one could play a lot of sports.

Sandefur is currently a physical education instructor at LBSU and the student teaching coordinator, who is in charge of overseeing the credential program for the department.

 
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