49er coach set to retire

 

Staff Reports, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, November 23, 1998

Long Beach State men's water polo coach, Ken Lindgren, will call it quits at the end of the 1998 season.

Lindgren, who has led the 49er program for the last 23 years, is leaving to concentrate on helping coach the U.S. women's water polo team.

"I would have preferred to finish my coaching career as a 49er," Lindgren said. "But I am committed to helping coach the USA women's team in its quest for a gold medal in 2000."

While at LBSU, Lindgren compiled a record of 334-335-3.

He led the 49ers to seven NCAA tournament appearances, including a second place finish in 1981. He garnered three conference championships (1975, '88, '89), and has been voted conference Coach of the Year three times (1981,'83, '88).

Lindgren's influence of the sport exceeds far beyond LBSU. In spring of 1998 he was named assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National team, and traveled with them to Europe during the summer.

In 1977 he was named assistant coach of the U.S. Men's National team. He was a member of the coaching staff throughout the 1984 Olympics, during which the team won a silver medal.

In 1985 he was named the head coach of the U.S. team in the World University Games in Japan. In 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Lindgren was called to help administer the competition. He is also a member of the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame.

For his service and success in the water polo, Lindgren was awarded the United States Water Polo Award, the highest honor in the sport, in 1992.

A 1960 graduate of LBSU, Lindgren was named the most valuable player of the 49er team in 1959. He is a member of the 49er Hall of Fame, and also helped coordinate the start of the 49er women's water polo team, which began play last Spring.

"The entire Long Beach State community deeply appreciates what Coach Lindgren has done for Long Beach State and water polo," said 49er Director of Athletics Bill Shumard. "He has proudly represented this university throughout his tenure and has made incredible contributions to the sport on a national level."