Year End Report

 August 2020

 The 2019-20 Athletics year will go down in history as one of the most unusual and unique years ever.  Although the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted what promised to be a successful year, it did not deter our coaches and staff from striving to achieve our goals.  Viking Athletics goals seek to develop a champion's Character in our athletes through championship experiences in Competition, in the Classroom and in the Community.  The FOUR C'S serve as our compass in evaluating all that we endeavor.  To implement our programs as we strive to achieve the Four C's requires people, facilities, budgets, philanthropy and tradition.  This report will focus on Long Beach City College Athletics success in these areas.

Championship programs and institutions reflect and practice excellence in all endeavors.  LBCC has coaches and staff in the Athletics Department who are competent, caring and committed to the students and institution they serve.  The full-time personnel are the core, critical mass and stabilizers for the day-to-day operations. Many more are part-time or volunteers who are here because they love the sport they coach and influencing young people at a critical stage in their lives. All are here because they are dedicated educators/coaches who want to be difference makers…and indeed they are.  There is a need to increase the number of full-time coaches.  Our most successful teams have full-time people at the helm.  Reviewing the attached document reveals that the 2019-20 year landed four conference championships (football, women's basketball, and men's and women's water polo), a post-season football bowl victory and a runner-up in the State Championship men's water polo game.  In addition, our women's basketball team finished an undefeated conference season, the first in history.  Many of our spring sports were also embarking on a successful campaign before their seasons were halted. Our cheer squad, which supports our teams at games and the College at so many events, competed and placed 2nd at their National event. 

When the pandemic hit in mid-March, our head coaches and staff quickly switched focus from competition to academics.  Our efforts were geared to ensure that our athletes were going to have as much success in the classroom as possible.  A fair assessment is that this task is daunting.  Educational research has shown that remote/online learning is inferior to in-person instruction.  And for many who are challenged academically, remote learning creates another obstacle to overcome.  The statistics show that our student-athletes this past year, in spite of the challenges in the spring semester, performed outstandingly.  They attempted on average 30.3 units (about 2.5 the number of units the average LBCC student attempts) and 82% achieved a GPA above a 2.0.  I am proud of the efforts our staff have made in the spring and summer, and will continue to make into the next school year, to keep our athletes on track to earn degrees.

Another challenge met by our staff was related to the senseless death of George Floyd.  The pain we have felt has caused us to reflect, take a stance and reinforce commitments to achieving the ideals on which our nation was founded and the tenets that so many of our religious beliefs want us to practice.  Sport and Athletics has always occupied the unique position of mirroring what is the very best and worst in a society, while also providing a stage for what is possible.  Jackie Robinson's entry into the major leagues placed a spotlight on the racism in professional baseball while at the same time triggering a change in the sport and society.  It took too long to happen and for many was painful when it did, but we are so much better today because of the courage and actions of those who architected that cultural change.

We are all part of multiple families – our world family, the family of Americans and the communities in which we reside.  We are also a family at LBCC, the Vikings Athletics Department and the sport teams that we form.  We are diverse and the talents we share with one another are unique and valued.  When someone in the family is wronged, we all are wronged and we cannot/must not allow that wrong to continue.  We must take a stand for justice and change.  That stand must take place in a lawful manner.  If it does not, then unlawful actions will only continue to wrong others and shift the focus away from the change that needs to happen.

As the Long Beach City College Interim Athletics Director, I want all to know that the Vikings Athletics Department stands with our brothers and sisters, especially our African American family members, in condemning what happened to George Floyd and so many others in the past.  We are committing to the principles of our Constitution, the statements contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg address, the preaching and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King and the teachings from the texts of the many religions that are practiced in this country.  We will be the cultural architects striving to create a world of freedom, respect, justice and opportunity for all.  Our coaches and staff have engaged in the difficult conversations with our athletes and listened.  We will continue to do so and take advantage of the opportunities for change.

Although the one common element of all great colleges and Athletics programs is people, there are four other components that have become important over the years. Those are facilities, budgets, philanthropic giving and tradition.  Athletics and Kinesiology has broken ground on the new aquatics center, kinesiology building, softball field, tennis courts, soccer/lacrosse fields and sand volleyball courts. It is scheduled for completion in 2021.  These facilities will not only afford better venues for practice, play and instruction for athletes and students, but will also serve as pieces to attract students, student-athletes, staff, faculty, fans and supporters to LBCC.  It is also rewarding to see that Veteran's Memorial Stadium has moved up on the schedule for refurbishing.  We are grateful the College has recognized this need.  Another need that is not scheduled to be addressed is the baseball field.  Although once part of the KLAC project, it was removed and is not scheduled for any improvements.  Baseball has traditionally been one of the strongest sports at LBCC with a proud tradition and history.  Long Beach is a baseball town and there is a need to renovate the field.  Facilities are so important and we are excited about these new ones, but we can't forget the old ones.  The facilities not impacted by this new construction will stand in stark contrast and will not serve as assets in creating a championship experience.

Athletics budget is cobbled together from District funding, Associated Student Body funds and gifts and donations coming through the Foundation.  It is inadequate and falls short of what many of our contemporaries enjoy.  As we hope and seek increase from the District and ASB, growing in stature is the need to fund raise and partner with individuals and businesses to grow the budget.  Our athletes and coaches deserve a level of support that allows them the ability to compete on a level playing field rather than overcome obstacles related to insufficient budgets.  We understand the financial challenges that the College faces in the coming years.  To keep our programs viable and athletes engaged requires coaches to be in place.  Otherwise, we will lose great student-athletes and the potential success we hope these programs bring.  This year we had to cancel our golf tournament which annually raised in excess of $30,000 for Athletics.  Still, our loyal golf supporters contributed nearly $15,000 to support Vikings Athletics.

We all want to maintain the success that LBCC has had over the years. It is the envy of every Community College in the state and across the country…18 national titles, 93 State Championships, 51 Runner-up State Championships and too many conference championships to count. The throng of athletes who have made it to the professional ranks and as Olympians is well documented, as is the coaches who have gone on to gain national recognition. Our Hall of Champions Induction was cancelled because of COVID-19 and will resume next spring.  It is a legacy and tradition we can be proud to hold, but there are other institutions on the horizon who want our position. Athletics is one of the most prominent factors in forming public perceptions about the quality of an institution.  The question is whether we have the commitment and fortitude to maintain and grow our stature. 

The relationship among these five areas (people, facilities, budgets, external support and tradition) is symbiotic, interactive and dependent.  When all areas are strong, magic and greatness happen.  When one or more of these factors is lacking, it will soon diminish and impact the effect the other areas have.  When that occurs, championship experience become harder to come by and goals change.  Winning is scaled down to competing, excelling in the classroom becomes staying eligible, being visible and impactful in the community lessens.

Our student-athletes are so varied and diverse. They have the same goals and aspirations as those at four-year institutions. They toil and labor at their academics and work and play at their sport.  Some will go on and participate at their sport after LBCC, while most will have this experience as their last.  Regardless, our commitment as well as those of everyone at the institution is to make this Long Beach City College student-athlete experience as good and memorable as it can be.

Go Vikings!

Fall 2019

Football

Helmed by eight-year Head Coach Brett Peabody, the Vikings had an overall record of 7-3 and a conference record of 4-1. This season, the Vikings were crowned with the National Northern League championship title in a three-way tie with Ventura College and College of the Canyons, then went on to defeat Southwestern College in the 2019 Southern California Bowl. At the conclusion of the season, the Long Beach City College football team saw 17 athletes sign National Letters of Intent to continue their football and academic careers at the next level.  

National Letters of Intent 

CCCFCA All-America First-Team and All-California Team

All-California First-Team

SCFA Central Division All-Conference Selections

Defensive Player of the Year

First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Volleyball

Fourth -year Head Coach Misty May-Treanor led the group of talented athletes in an impressive 20-8 overall record which included a nine-game winning-streak, and had a second place conference showing in the first ever South Coast Conference Tournament with a 15-2 record. Four women's volleyball players also earned All-Conference recognition. The Vikings also made their fourth postseason appearance under May-Treanor, but fell short to Orange Coast College in the first round of CCCAA SoCal Regionals. The women's volleyball team saw three teammates sign to four-year universities to continue their volleyball careers.

National Letters of Intent

First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Men's Water Polo

It was yet another successful year for the men's water polo squad as they were runner-up in the CCCAA State Championships. Despite the state championship loss, the Vikings finished the season as the 2019 South Coast Conference Champions for the third-consecutive year. With their successful season, the South Coast Conference announced seven players with All-SCC selections. This included freshman attacker Jose Loubriel, who was named the 2019 SCC Most Valuable Player of the Year and the 2019 Southern California MVP.

National Letters of Intent 

All-American

Southern California Most Valuable Player

SCC Most Valuable Player of the Year

First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Women's Water Polo

The Vikings finished with another banner year after a fourth-consecutive undefeated SCC-South conference record, which included their fourth-consecutive conference crown. Long Beach was unstoppable in conference action after going10-0. They reached the CCCAA Southern California Regional playoffs, but were knocked out by Citrus College. The Vikings topped the All- SCC team with seven athletes earning all-conference honors, including the SCC Most Valuable Player of the Year. Head Coach Chris Oeding was also recognized as the 2019 SCC Coach of the Year for the ninth time. Oeding finished the women's season 23-6 overall.

National Letters of Intent 

Coach of the Year

All-American

All-SoCal First Team

All-SoCal Second-Team

SCC Most Valuable Player of the Year

First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Cross Country

It was another season for the record books for the Vikings as the men's team placed fifth and the women's cross-country team took third place in the South Coast Conference Championships, therefore qualifying for the SoCal Championships. During the SoCal Championship meet, LBCC had four Vikings qualify for the State Championships. For the women's team, sophomore Dasani Zavala and freshman Amaya Ferris qualified for State Championships. On the men's side, sophomore Donovan Zavala and Freshman Jonathan Ruiz moved on to compete at the State Championship.

Men's Soccer

The Vikings finished their season with an overall record of 6-10-6 led by head coach Cameron Beaulac. During conference play, the Vikings had a strong run and finished with a 3-3-2 record in the South Coast Conference. The South Coast Conference South Division honored four Long Beach City College men's soccer players for their outstanding work on the field.

National Letters of Intent 

SCC-South All-Conference First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Women's Soccer

The Vikings finished the season with an overall record of 14-6 record and took home third place in the SCC-South with a 6-2 conference record. Six players received All-Conference honors, and the team earned a CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoff berth.

SCC-South All-Conference First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Winter 2019-20
 

Women's Basketball

The Vikings had a banner year under first-year head coach Ollie Brent. They finished their season with their undefeated 10-0 conference title and had an overall 20-9 record for the season. Six players earned South Coast Conference-South All-Conference recognition at the conclusion, including two most valuable player awards. To wrap up the season, the Vikings earned a SoCal Regional Playoff berth. Brent also was named the SCC Coach of the Year.

SCC-South Coach of the Year

Coach of the Year

SCC-South All-Conference Co-Most Valuable Players

SCC-South All-Conference First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

National Letters of Intent 

Men's Basketball

After an 18-10 record for the season and a third place conference finish, it was recently announced that three men's basketball athletes were recognized with All-South Coast Conference honors including the Conference Most Valuable Player. In addition, two athletes signed National Letters of Intent to continue their basketball careers at the next level.

National Letters of Intent 

SCC-South All-Conference Most Valuable Player

SCC-South All-Conference Second-Team All-Conference

Honorable Mention

Spring 2020

Women's Beach Volleyball

The Beach Volleyball team was 2-3 before the season was canceled due to COVID-19. It was announced that assistant coach Tyler Jackson would replace Misty May-Treanor as the new interim Beach Volleyball and Indoor Volleyball coach for 2020-21.

Men's Volleyball

The Men's Volleyball team was on a one-way track to taking to trying for back-to-back state championship rings. The Vikings were 11-1 and on a nine-game winning streak before the season's cancellation in March. All sophomores are expected to return next year.

Baseball

The Vikings ended the season early with a 17-5 overall record and was sitting in second place in the South Coast Conference with an 8-2 record; freshman pitcher Mitchell Knight was leading the conference with a 1.24 ERA and 5 saves. 

National Letters of Intent 

Softball

The Vikings finished their season with a 9-7 record and was 6-5 in the South Coast Conference. Pitcher Joette Vega earned Academic All-State Honors as she held an 4.0 GPA off the field, while holding a 4.13 ERA and a .276 batting average on the field in the short spring season of this year.

National Letters of Intent 

Swimming  

The Long Beach City College men and women's swim teams had four swim meets before the season ended due to COVID-19. In the final meet, the Vikings hosted a dual meet against El Camino and East Los Angeles.

Track & Field  

Track & Field had a strong showing this year in the four meets that they competed in this year. The Vikings hosted their very own track meet in Veterans Memorial Stadium for the first time in years. The women's team had a strong showing in the 4 x100 and in the 200-meter race. The men's team took first place in the 400-meter dash in the Pasadena Invitational and newcomer freshman Ke'Ron Reed was progressing in the long jump.

National Letters of Intent