Chuck Bittick, an all-conference, all-state, and junior college All-American for the Vikings in water polo (1957) and swimming (1958). Bittick was a three-time All-American at USC in water polo and swimming (1958-61) and was a member of the 1960 USA Olympic water polo team. Bittick won three silver medals at the Pan-American Games (100-meter backstroke 1959, 1963; water polo 1963) and broke the 200-meter backstroke world record in 1960. He also set 35 American records during his career.
Craig Dykema, a two-season standout for the LBCC men’s basketball team in 1978-79. In 1979, Dykema was named Metropolitan Conference Most Valuable Player, all-state, and All-American. He went on to play at Long Beach State University where he earned all-conference honors in 1981. Dykema played three seasons for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association before closing his career with four years of professional basketball in Spain.
Lisa Lawrence, a two-year team captain for the LBCC women’s soccer team. Lawrence was named South Coast Conference MVP following the 1996 season. In 1997, she helped lead the Vikings to their first ever state championship. Lawrence currently holds school records for season points (103), career assists (54), season assists (38), and single-game assists (5). Lawrence also tallied 43 goals in her two-season career. After LBCC, she was a member of Azusa Pacific University’s 1998 National Championship squad. Lawrence is currently co-head coach of the LBCC women’s soccer team.
Bob Myers, LBCC head baseball coach from 1976-1981 and was an assistant coach for nine seasons (1970-75, 1991-93, 1997). In his first season as head coach in 1976, he led the Vikings to a state championship and was named state coach of the year. 1976 marked the first of three straight conference titles as well as three straight top-four finishes at the state championships (third, 1997; fourth, 1978). Prior to coaching, Myers was a member of the 1945 LBCC football team and 1946 baseball team.
Jeff Severson, an impressive defensive back on the 1967 and 1968 LBCC football teams. After LBCC he went on to play at Long Beach State University where he helped lead his team to a 1970 conference championship and an appearance in the Junior Rose Bowl. As a senior in 1970, he posted a NCAA record 15 interceptions. Severson advanced to the National Football League and played nine seasons (1971-1979) with the Washington Redskins, Houston Oilers, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Rams. He also played in Super Bowl VII (1971) and Super Bowl XIV (1979).
Ann Simmons, LBCC men’s swim team member (1973) who went on to achieve numerous national and international accolades. Prior to her arrival at LBCC, Simmons was already a four-time AAU champion (1970-71), a Pan-Am Games champion (1971), and had set the American record in the 400-meter and the world record in the 800-meter freestyle (1971). She earned JC All-American honors at LBCC in 1973 before moving on to UCLA where she was named All-American her final three collegiate seasons (1974-76). Simmons went on to become the head women’s swim coach at UC Irvine (1976-80) and coached the USA National Team in 1986.
Robbie Stuart, a three-sport star for the Vikings in women’s basketball, volleyball, and softball (1969-71). In 1969, she was named MVP of the LBCC basketball and volleyball squads. She was also a member of the 1970 AAU National Volleyball Championship team. Stuart continued her academic and athletic career at Long Beach State University and competed on the track, golf, archery, fencing, and volleyball teams. In 1973, she helped lead Long Beach State to the AIAW National Championship. Stuart is currently a participant in the US Volleyball Association National Tournaments (1988-present).
Homer Williams, one of LBCC’s all-time leading running backs. Williams was a two-time All-American running back for the Vikings during the 19962-63 seasons and was named Metropolitan Conference MVP in 1963. He helped LBCC capture the 1962 National Championship and closed his career with 2,395 yards rushing. His total stood as the LBCC school record for nearly 20 years before it was broken in 2002. Following LBCC, Williams continued his career at USC for two seasons (1964, 1966) and played one season in the NFL for the Denver Broncos in 1967.
Emeritus Inductees:
Joe “Cowboy” Forbes, a standout thrower in track and field (1929-1930) who also competed on the LBCC football team. In 1930, Forbes set the LBCC and JC Southern California record in the shot put with a toss of 44-11. He also set school records in the javelin (185-0) and discus (138-2) in 1930. Forbes went on to earn Little All-American honors as a punter for Occidental College in 1933.
Paul Johnson, a two-time undefeated wrestler and member of the LBCC football team. Johnson was undefeated in 1929 to win the 158-pound Southern California championship and followed that up with an unbeaten year in 1930 for the 165-pound title. The Vikings went on to win the 1929 Southern California team championship.
Norm Kettering, two-year captain of the LBCC swim team (1929-30). Kettering helped lead the Vikings to the 1929 conference title. He also won two AAU swimming championships. Kettering went on to become a professor and basketball coach at Los Angeles Harbor College.
Cliff Meyer, who competed on LBCC’s football (1929), basketball (1929-30), and baseball (1930) teams. Meyer played halfback for the Vikings but was known for his ability to throw and catch touchdown passes. After LBCC, he moved on to Whittier College where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball (1930-33). Meyer went on to become a high school coach and athletic director in Long Beach for 34 years. He won two CIF baseball championships (1947, 1950) while coaching at Long Beach Wilson High School.
Bert Smith, who was on the first faculty at LBCC. Smith served on the faculty for 29 years (1927-56). He was the college’s first basketball coach and coached LBCC’s first state championship team in any sport, the 1929 men’s basketball squad. The team become know as “The Wonder Team” as it went undefeated to win the conference, Southern California, and state titles. He also served as coach for the golf, tennis, and baseball teams before retiring as the athletic director. His golf squads won seven SoCal championships. Smith also developed the first junior college intramural sports program in the United States. |
