Bill Birch (2003) - Hall of Fame - Long Beach State University Athletics

Bill Birch

Induction:
2003

Competed three years (1963-65) on both the swimming and men’s water polo teams at Long Beach State... was a two-time All-State and all-conference (1963, 1964) water polo player for the 49ers and led the 49ers to back-to-back State College Championships... team MVP in 1964... selected 1st team All-American in both 1963 and 1964... was an assistant coach for the 49ers in 1965... in swimming he won three individual NCAA swimming titles and was the 49ers Most Valuable Swimmer (1964, 1965)... was an NCAA record holder in four events, school record holder in seven events and was a conference and NCAA champion in four events... winner of 10 gold, three silver and five bronze NCAA medals from 1964-66... Long Beach Century Club Swimmer of the Year in 1964... after leaving LBSU he was a member of the US National Water Polo team for four years... a gold medalist at the 1967 Pan American games... an alternate on the 1968 U.S. Olympic team... 1965 USA Water Polo Player of the Year and was an AAU All-American four times.