Long Beach State University Athletics
Mike Barton Memorial Service to be Held on Saturday
12/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
LONG BEACH - A memorial service for Long Beach State men's volleyball alum and Wall of Honor recipient Mike Barton will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.
For more information on the location of the service, please contact either Alan Knipe or Nick MacRae.
Barton's playing career began 45 years ago at El Camino College, where he and his teammates won the junior college championship in 1970. Barton then transferred to the Beach in 1971 and started every match over the next three years. In 1973, Barton and the 49ers reached the NCAA finals in San Diego, where San Diego State and LBSU played before what was then the largest crowd to attend a volleyball match in the United States.
Later in 1973, Barton joined 49er teammate Tom Ashen, as well as volleyball legends Doug Beal and Chris Marlowe, at the World University Games in Moscow.
In 1975, a group of businessmen, who also happened to be volleyball enthusiasts, formed what was the first professional league in the U.S., which unfortunately lasted only one season. Barton played for the Los Angeles entry which reached the league final, and was selected as an all-star. In 1977, he attained a AAA rating on the beach circuit.
Barton's indoor career included a 1979 USVBA National Championship in Dayton, Ohio. There, he teamed with Tim Hovland and Pat Powers to sweep every match during the six-day event. Barton was named an All-American. At the international level, he represented the United States in the 2002 World Master's Games in Melbourne, Australia, leading the team to a bronze medal.
