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Ron Allice, who coached LBCC track teams to 16 conference, 14 Southern California and 11 state championships from 1979-94. His Viking teams won 78 of 79 dual meets during his tenure. He also coached cross country to the 1990 state championship. A former head coach at Long Beach Poly and Wilson high schools and Long Beach State, Allice is currently director of track and field at the University of Southern California.
Susie Atwood, who won a silver and bronze medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and at one time held the world record in the 200-meter backstroke. Following the RRonOlympics, she would be one of the first two women to compete on the all-male LBCC swimming team. Atwood is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Valerie Brisco, the first American sprinter, male or female, to win Olympic gold medals in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes during the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Her 400-meter winning time of 48.83 still stands as the American record. She also earned Olympic gold in 1984 and 1988 as part of the 1,600-meter relay squads. Brisco was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1995.
Betty Crilley, who retired from the college in 1986 after teaching and coaching for 31 years. From 1955-75 she coached all of the women’s sports team (basketball, field hockey, volleyball and softball), winning 15 league and six all-junior college championships. She became LBCC’s first women’s athletic director in 1975 and also served as the advisor for the Women’s Athletic Association.
Bob Cvrtlik, a three-time volleyball Olympian who won the gold medal in 1988 and a bronze medal in 1992. He was selected the best player in the world in 1995 by the International Volleyball Federation. He was named the 1982 community college state tournament most valuable player in leading the Vikings to the state title. He is now a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete’s Council.
Greg Harris, who posted a pitching record of 18-4 in 1976, leading the Vikings to the state baseball championship and his being chosen as the state player of the year. He pitched for eight major league teams in an 18-year professional career, highlighted when he pitched both lefthanded and righthanded in the same game. The four-finger, two-thumb glove he used is now part of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Joe Hicks, who guided Viking baseball teams to consecutive Metropolitan Conference, Southern California and state championships in 1968 and 1969. When he won his 500th game as Viking head coach, his sons Tom (pitcher) and Jay (catcher) were in the line-up. The LBCC baseball scoreboard is dedicated in his memory.
Earl McCullouch, an All-American football safety who played on the Vikings’ 1964 national championship Junior Rose Bowl team. He transferred to the University of Southern California and played on the Trojans’ 1967 national champion squad. He held the world record in the 100-meter high hurdles and qualified for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, but chose to sign a contract with the NFL Detroit Lions.
John Rambo, the first community college high jumper to ever clear seven feet, won the bronze medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo after he was named the 1963 national community college track athlete of the year. He also played basketball for the Vikings, averaging 19 points per game. He transferred to California State University, Long Beach, where he was an All-American in both basketball and track
Kate Schmidt, who dominated the women’s javelin throwing scene for a decade and claimed bronze medals at the 1972 Olympics in Munich and 1976 Olympics in Montreal. She captured seven national titles and during a span between 1972-77 raised the American javelin record from 198-8 to 227-5, which still stands as the American record. She was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1994.
George Timberlake, a two-way starter on the offensive line and linebacker for the 1950 national champion Junior Rose Bowl team. He was a community college All-American who would transfer to the University of Southern California and again earn All-American honors. He would play three seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.
Del Walker, LBCC athletic director from 1958-76 and a former standout Viking golfer who did not lose a single match in two years (1932-33). He would move on to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he lost just once in 36 matches. In his 18 years as athletic director the college would win 15 league Iron Man awards. After his retirement he became the men’s golf coach at California State University, Long Beach.
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