The Vikings would like to continue the new series that features Vikings from the past that have contributed to the Athletic Department in significant ways.
The second Viking to be featured is no other than former Athletic Business Specialist and current member of the Athletics Associates Group, Lois Smith.
Please enjoy this interview with Lois Smith.
1. What was your role at Long Beach City College, and how long were you there?
Around 1977, I started as a casual employee for the Long Beach Unified School District and LBCC. I would go to elementary schools and help the office staff. At LBCC, the positions that were usually vacant were when someone was out for long-term illness or open due to retirement.
Some of the offices that I worked in at LBCC were nursing, social science, financial aid, registration during peak times, and the recreation office. I only wanted to work part-time, so I accepted a position in the counseling office four days a week. Then I decided that evening work was not good because my husband also worked nights and I had two almost teenagers at home that needed supervision. A position became available in Admissions & Records working part-time during the day so I transferred. Then I heard about a 30 hour-a-week position in the Athletic Department Office. I was a little reluctant to do this because it was an Associated Student Body position (which was separate from LBCC). ASB had a lower pay scale and was under a different retirement scale. I decided in April 1982 that this was a position that sounded like a fun place to be. There was never a dull moment. Time flew by. There was just two of us in the office plus the Athletic Director. I worked for six Athletic Directors during my time in the Athletic Office; Russ Jordan, Bob Kariger, Bob Myers/Carol Welsh, Mickey Davis and Chuck McFerrin. It was an interesting time; we were located just outside the football office. Met some of the most energetic athletes. Many LBCC athletes have been able to leave LBCC with full scholarships to a four-year university and many went on to the pros. Our office seemed to be in a steady "stream of athletic traffic". At some point, I do not remember the year; the Athletic Office moved from the R building to the Q building. What was once a lounge area became our office and we got to pick out new furniture, carpet, paint and the file cabinets. We felt like we were working in a luxury office suite.
The area that we were in in the R building became part of the weight room.
2. What do you miss from LBCC Athletics?
I have had many friendships with coaches, staff and their families within the athletic and physical education departments. I would say that "the people" is what I miss the most.
3. What did you do after retiring from LBCC?
In June of 2000, my husband, Ron died suddenly. I got to thinking that life is too short, so maybe I should retire and have some fun. After retirement on January 31, 2001, I did some temporary work at LBCC like helping at FLEX Day, ASB bank during registration time, and sold snacks at baseball and softball games. I also attended the volleyball and basketball games when I can. Then I started traveling with friends from the east coast and spent time in North Carolina and Florida. I bought a condominium at Lake Chautauqua, N.Y. and I loved being there, but in 2004, I sold it because it was too hard to manage from California. In 2006, I re-married to Richard from Virginia. Lucky for me he likes to likes to travel as well. In 2015, we did a cross-country road trip.
4. What's your greatest accomplishment at LBCC?
That is a tough one. I know that I hardly missed any days of work. This was one job that I never minded going to each day. One thing I did was make up a procedure manual for the position of the Athletic Business Specialist position. There had never been one previously. In addition, I assisted staff that needed to take the Class B driver's test so they could drive the school vans. I advised them on what the requirements would be and showed them the safety features that they would be expected to know at DMV.
5. What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Reading, water aerobics and travel (especially cruises). I have been on 32 Princess cruises. The pandemic has set me back since they have suspended cruises. I also enjoy doing volunteer work. For about eight years, I have been a volunteer at Memorial Hospital in Long Beach in the Joint Replacement Center. This has been very rewarding for me. The time spent with the LBCC Foundation working with people in that office and the Athletic Associates group is something I will never forget. Unfortunately, both of these have been suspended because of COVID-19.
6. What's the best thing about retirement?
The best thing about retirement is you get to make your own schedule. The check that comes every month is also a big plus!
7. Do you have any future plans for yourself?
The only plans I have is to continue traveling once the pandemic is over.
8. Any advice to the athletes during this pandemic?
The pandemic has been a bump in the road (more like a boulder, I think!). Athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, and office staff have all been set back, but hopefully as athletes, you have been able to keep yourself engaged in your online classes and be watchful of your physical and mental condition.
9. What do you do for the Athletic Associates and how long have you been in the group?
I have been a part of the Athletic Associates in some way since the very first golf tournament that was held 37 years ago. During the early years of the golf tournament, the Athletic Office staff was only asked to come on the day of the tournament to help with registration. As the years went by more of the duties were given to the Athletic Department instead of the Foundation Office. It became more evident that we should be attending the meetings to find out what we could help with prior to and at the tournament. After my retirement, I continued to attend the meetings and help any committee that needed me to assist. One of my favorite things to do for the golf tournament is to help Auggie Luuga and his faithful group, the day before the tournament making up the T-packages. In addition, I like doing the opportunity drawing and setting up the prize table. I never wanted to be in charge of a committee that prepared for the tournament. I find that helping where help is needed better suits me. At the tournament, the highlight is seeing some of the current and retirees from LBCC. From 2018 to just recently I served as the President of the Athletic Associates.
Bonus: I have lived in the same house in Lakewood and have had the same phone number for 53 years. I worked in the Athletic Department for almost 19 years.