Former Pole Vaulter Truman Passes Away
Truman Ranked in Top-10 at LBSU in Indoor & Outdoor Pole Vault
LONG BEACH, CA-- Long Beach State track and field lost one of its own, when former pole vaulter Jeff Truman (West Covina, CA/Covina HS/Mt. SAC) passed away Wednesday from complications resulting from an undisclosed accident. Truman was 27.
"Jeff remained very close to a lot of people here on campus and his loss is deeply felt. Our thoughts are with his family, and his many friends,"said 14th year Head Track and Field Coach Andy Sythe. "Whenever a young person loses his or her life, it is tragic."
A memorial service will take place on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Mt. San Antonio College Performing Arts Center on Temple Avenue in Walnut, CA.
Truman competed for the 49ers during the 1998 and 1999 seasons, redshirting in 1997 after transferring from Mt. SAC (1995-96). Truman left LBSU, 10th all-time in the outdoor pole vault with a height of 16'7", and had the sixth-best indoor pole vault, at 15'11".
"The track and field community has really lost a gifted young man," added Sythe. "Even after college, Jeff stayed involved with the sport. One of his current jobs was promoting equipment to improve the safety of the pole vault. He will be missed."
In 1999, Truman won the pole vault at the Big West Challenge, leading the 49ers to the team title. Truman graduated with a degree in psychology from LBSU in 1999, and graduated from Covina High School in 1994. | 
