Professional athletes stem from CSULB sports teams

By Cheryl Hannigan
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

Since the creation of the Daily Forty-Niner 55 years ago, staff writers and editors have had the privilege of witnessing and reporting on numerous outstanding athletes at Cal State Long Beach. Some of these CSULB alumni athletes go on to professional sports and the Olympic Games.

Last summer, Daily Forty-Niner Sports Editor Michael Bower covered CSULB alumni Olympians, including Misty May, a professional volleyball player and Olympic champion.

While attending CSULB, she won a national championship and was named the Athlete of the Year Award in 1998. In 2000, May and teammate Holly McPeak competed in the Atlanta Olympics, where they placed fifth. In the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, May and her teammate Kerri Walsh were able to earn an undefeated record in seven matches and captured the gold medal for the United States after defeating Brazil in the finals. Other 2004 Olympians from CSULB include volleyball players Tom Hoff, Tara Cross-Battle, Danielle Scott, Tayyiba Haneef and water polo player Chris Segesman.

Other alumni Olympians include Patricia McCormick, John and Joan Van Blom and Robert Ctvrtlik. McCormick competed in the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, winning two gold medals in diving. Joan Lind (later Van Blom) began rowing at CSULB as a freshman and went on to capture a silver medal in the 1976 Olympics.

Her husband, John Van Blom, is a four-time Olympian and won a silver medal in the 1972 Olympics. Ctvrtlik is a three-time Olympian who won a gold and bronze medal in volleyball. Ctvrtlik also served on the United States Olympic Committee.

In September 1996, the Daily Forty-Niner covered Ken Lindgren, an alumni and head coach for the 49er water polo team. A Daily Forty-Niner reporter also covered Lindgren's retirement in 1998, as he went on to coach the women's water polo team in the Atlanta Olympics. While coaching at CSULB, he was assisted by Kyle Kopp, another alumnus and a member of the 1996 Olympic team.

Professional baseball players are also included among CSULB alumni. One example is Dirtbag pitcher Michael Gallo, who later became a pitcher for the Houston Astros. At CSULB, he earned the title of Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1999 and helped carry the 49ers into the College World Series in 1998.

First baseman Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees was drafted in the 43rd round by Milwaukee after he graduated high school, but decided to attend CSULB, where he played for the Dirtbags and earned a degree in business. Giambi also competed as a member of the 1992 Olympic baseball team in Barcelona.

CSULB also has football and basketball alumni that have excelled in sports. Dan Bunz, former professional football player once walked the halls of CSULB. Bunz carried the title of "49er" to the San Francisco 49ers, and was awarded 49er Rookie of the Year in 1978 and eventually became a two-time Super Bowl Champion.

In 2002, the Daily Forty-Niner covered Utah Jazz player and CSULB alum Bryon Russell's decision to return to CSULB and complete his degree in business. In 1997, reporters covered Penny Toler, a former basketball player for the 49ers.

Toler went on to be a general manager for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WBNA and was also the first woman to score a point after the WNBA was created.

These are only a few of the numerous outstanding alumni athletes from CSULB. Other alumni athletes include Olympians, professional athletes, general managers and coaches.

A full list of famous alumni, in athletics can be found at the Long Beach State Web site at www.longbeachstate.com.