Summer
Sports Briefs
Latest Hall of Famer
George
Allen is widely known for being a masterminding
coach, but above all he will be remembered
for being a genuine winner - at least, that
is how the Pro Football Hall of Fame sees
him.
Allen, who died in 1990, was inducted into
the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton,
Ohio, this past summer, adding the final
chapter to a lifelong book of success.
After coaching in the NFL for 12 seasons
(Los Angeles Rams1966-1970, Washington Redskins
1971-1977) and compiling 116-47-5 professional
record, Allen brought his good strategy
and good fortune to a beleaguered Long Beach
State 49er football program.
In his only season at CSULB, Allen led the
49ers to their first winning season in years.
Allen is immortalized at The Beach, visible
through the black and gold school colors
that he inspired as well as the George Allen
Field on Lower Campus that honors his memory.
Allen also cemented his place in the history
of the game, contributing as a pioneer in
the use of certain defensive schemes, such
as the blitz, zone coverage and the nickel
defense.
The
Beach hosts pros
The
professional basketball season peaked when
the Los Angeles Lakers won their third consecutive
NBA Championship, but the summer hoops action
did not cease with the victory parade.
The Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach once
again served as the venue for local basketball
fans to converge to watch newly drafted
rookies and other players showcase their
talent and hopefully make a name for themselves.
Eight NBA squads were represented, including
the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dirtbags
Brief
Long
Beach State left-hander Abe Alvarez ended
his 2002 sophomore campaign by claiming
the season’s top honor - the Big West Conference
Pitcher of the Year.
However, Alvarez stayed on the mound over
the summer and, as he kept hurling out strikes,
the success kept rolling on in.
Alvarez pitched for Team USA and maintained
a low 1.93 ERA in 11 appearances on the
hill. As the national team racked up a 23-7
record over the summer, Alvarez contributed
with 13 strikeouts in 14 innings.
In addition, fellow Dirtbags starting pitcher
Jared Weaver stepped into the spotlight,
gaining recognition for his stellar work
in the elite Alaska League, which is one
of the top two baseball leagues for collegiate
athletes.
Weaver tallied an impressive 5-1 record
for the Anchorage Bucs. Also, the right-hander
finished third in the league with a 1.11
ERA, second in strikeouts with 73 and pitched
for a team-high 64 2/3 innings.
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