Long Beach State University Athletics
Sandefur Was a Cut Above
6/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
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Sandefur Was 'A Cut Above' Editor's note: Randy Sandefur died March 15. The following remembrance was written by former Press-Telegram writer Al Larson. Randy Sandefur was the Pied Piper of volleyball in Long Beach. Whether playing on the Long Beach Master's perennial national championship teams or joining the weekly YMCA group for two hours of spirited action, you wanted to be on Randy's team. Sandefur, who passed away recently after a short illness at age 67, was more than just a fun-loving volleyball enthusiast. He was highly praised as a coach and administrator at Long Beach State over a 40-year period, and rightly so. Randy began his association at the university when he enrolled and played basketball for coaches Dick Perry and Bob Wuesthoff. He graduated in 1962. It wasn't long before Sandefur was teaching physical education activity classes while working on his master's degree. In 1964, he was hired as an assistant basketball coach for one season. In 1970, Randy began the 49ers' men's volleyball program. Then in 1975,
he left coaching and worked on training student teachers and coaches until
he retired in 2000. In 1999, he was inducted into the 49ers' Athletic
Hall of Fame. But let the people who played and worked with Randy express what they remember most about the long-time Belmont Shore resident. Miles Pabst played a key role in Long Beach State reaching the NCAA championship match in 1973. "Randy was a wonderful mentor," Pabst said. "It was sad we couldn't get him the title. We'd beaten San Diego State three times during the regular season, but came up short in the showdown match. But it was his passion for the game of volleyball that I remember most, as well as the passion for his students and players. He was always there if I needed help." Tom Hermstad, who was the student manager for Long Beach State when he first met Randy, said, "I don't think I ever saw him not smiling. I never knew anyone who didn't like Randy." Betty Hammer, whose husband Dick played on three of the Long Beach Masters championship volleyball teams with Randy, said: "Everyone felt better being around Randy. He was one of Dick's favorite people as a person, not just because Randy was a fine athlete." Glenn Stone, one of the country's finest setters on three of Long Beach's title volleyball teams, said, "What I remember most was his competitiveness and his humor. He showed both at the same time. You couldn't help having fun when you played with Randy." Howard McGovney, one of Randy's closest friends, said: "I had my parents whom I loved, but Randy was something special, like a brother. I'd call him `Hermano Supremo,' which is more than blood. That's the way we were whether it was playing volleyball at the YMCA or going on long motorcycle rides into Mexico. He's been a big part of my life for more than 40 years." Ron Batson, who also played basketball with Randy at CSULB, said, "He was a cut above all others. I think he was the most positive athlete I ever played with. He was a great teammate, and he never stopped being a great friend after our basketball playing days." Finally, from this journalist, what I remember most about Sandefur was his compassion. I first met Randy while covering Long Beach State basketball in 1960 for the Press-Telegram. He was always available for interviews after a game. And if you wanted to set up what some would call a zany photo to go with a story, Randy was always agreeable. While in college, he was a member of a small jazz combo, playing trumpet. So when I suggested my idea of him holding a basketball to his instrument, he was all for the photo op. But my ever-lasting memory occurred in 1976 after the Long Beach Masters had won the national men's USVBA title in New York. We defeated San Diego two straight games. But when the All-Tournament team was announced, only Jimmy Montague and Dick Hammer were honored while three San Diego players were selected. As soon as Sandefur heard this, he bolted for the table where the committee had tabulated its choices. Within seconds, Sandefur was pleading how could these people have overlooked our setter, Glenn Stone? Moments later, I could see that Randy was actually crying with grief over the snub. It wasn't more than five minutes later that the public address announcer said a special Most Valuable Player Award had been given to Glenn Stone. That was Randy Sandefur. No wonder people wanted to be associated with Randy Sandefur, whether it was on or off the court. I know I did. |
