Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball to Induct Three New Members into the Wall of Honor
3/4/2019 10:07:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Former LBSU players Paul Lotman, Matt Prosser and Zach Small will be inducted on March 18
Randy Sandefur Golf Tournament Flyer (PDF)
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Long Beach State men's volleyball program will be inducting three new members to the Wall of Honor. The Class of 2018-19 consists of former players Paul Lotman, Matt Prosser, and Zach Small, who will be inducted on Monday, March 18 at the Wall of Honor dinner following the fifth annual Randy Sandefur Golf Tournament.
"This year's Wall of Honor inductees span two decades of 49er success and include a former Olympian, National Champion, and numerous record setters," said Harold Noriega, who played for LBSU from 1978-79. "All three of our inductees embody the work ethic and culture of the men's volleyball program. The Wall of Honor board is honored and proud to welcome the Wall of Honor Class of 2018-19."
The major criteria for the Wall of Honor, as outlined by the committee are as follows: the player must have represented Long Beach State men's volleyball with unparalleled success or achievement and truly embodied the passion, commitment, and loyalty that encompass a 49er men's volleyball player.
The trio each left their mark on Long Beach State in their own way. Both on and off the court, these three individuals have demonstrated a commitment to the program that has far exceeded expectations and has helped the Beach rise to one of the premier volleyball programs in the country.
Lotman, who played at LBSU from 2005-08, was an outside hitter for the Beach where he concluded his collegiate career as the 2008 AVCA Player of the Year. During his time at Long Beach State, the AVCA First Team All-American garnered AVCA National Player of the Week honors on two separate occasions, was named MPSF Player of the Year, and was a First Team All-MPSF selection. In his final year in Black and Gold, Lotman led the Long Beach State men's volleyball team to the 2008 NCAA Semifinals.
Following his storied career at Long Beach State, Lotman went on to have a successful professional career playing in Germany, Poland, Italy, France, Greece, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, he played on the U.S. Junior National Team in 2005, won a bronze medal at the World University Games in 2007, then went on to play on the U.S. Men's National Team.
"Paul Lotman is one of the best stories of success in Long Beach State Volleyball history," LBSU head coach Alan Knipe said of his former player. "Paul transformed himself from a walk on to the 2008 AVCA co-Player of the Year.
"After leaving Long Beach State, he represented the USA at the 2012 Olympic Games. Paul led his team with great passing and a great right arm. Paul is one of the first outside hitters in Long Beach State history to truly excel out of the back row. Having had the opportunity to coach Paul at Long Beach State and at the Olympic Games, I can truly say Paul Lotman is very deserving of this award."
Prosser played middle blocker at Long Beach State from 1998-2001 and started his collegiate career with a selection to Volleyball Magazine's Freshman All-American Team after setting the single-match record in his rookie season with a .867 hitting percentage against LMU. Prosser continued to tack on the honors in his sophomore season as he set the Walter Pyramid Record of 16 total blocks versus Loyola Marymount – a record that still stands today. He concluded his sophomore campaign with a selection to the All-MPSF Second Team and Volleyball Magazine All-America Third Team after setting the Long Beach State NCAA Tournament Single-Match record with nine block assists against Purdue Fort Wayne en route to leading the Beach to the 1999 NCAA Finals.
An AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First Team All-American in his junior season, Prosser was named to the All-MPSF First Team and garnered AVCA National Player of the Week honors in addition to setting the LBSU single-season record with an attack percentage of .489. Prosser wrapped up his collegiate career with a nod to the AVCA All-America Second Team and All-MPSF Honorable Mention selection.
Nearly two decades after leaving Long Beach State, Prosser still ranks fourth all-time in total blocks (510), fourth all-time in blocks per set (1.47), third in block assists (459), second in hitting percentage (.447) and 19th in kills (1,147). His eight 10-plus block matches are good for fourth in the LBSU annals and his 14 block assists are tied for the most in the LBSU single-match record book. Lastly, Prosser holds the record for highest career attack percentage (.453) in the Sideout Scoring Era before going on to serve as an assistant coach at Long Beach State and putting together a successful AVP Beach career.
"Matt was a four-year starter and a three-year captain, while picking up multiple All-American awards," Knipe explained. "Matt led by example each and every day on and off the court. During his years at Long Beach State, he established himself as one of the all-time best blockers. His all-in approach was a huge reason why his teams enjoyed great success, including a trip to the 1999 National Championship game. Matt also spent a few years as my assistant coach and helped lead us to the 2008 NCAA Final Four. Matt is very well deserving of this award and I am very proud of him."
Zach Small competed for the Beach from 1990-93 as both an outside hitter and middle blocker. The versatile Small helped lead Long Beach State to the 1990 NCAA Finals and later the program's first-ever NCAA National Championship in 1991. A leader both on and off the court, Small finished his collegiate career as the program's record holder for most career digs (886) in the Sideout Scoring Era after collecting a career-high 20 digs in a match against Pepperdine in 1992.
"Wall of Honor recognition for Zach Small is completely deserved and long overdue," former Long Beach State player, assistant coach, and Wall of Honor member Mike D'Alessandro said. "Of all the starters and main contributors that were amongst the teams during the early 90s, Zach has probably received the least amount of acclaim which is very ironic because the things he did for those teams were all hard and unselfish things which don't draw a lot of attention or show up on the stat sheet. He did all the little things that it takes to win at a very high level. Big time congratulations to Zach!"
A fixture in the Long Beach State all-time career record book, Small still ranks 17th with 1,169 career kills, is second all-time with 886 career digs, and is tied for fifth in the LBSU single-season annals with 2.53 digs per set.
"Huge congratulations to my teammate and good friend Zach Small," Knipe said. "Zach is the definition of the term 'great teammate' in everything he did. He played many different positions during his time at Long Beach State and excelled at all of them. Easily one of the best passers I have ever been around, as a coach or player. His ability to play defense and help his team in any role he was given separated him from the rest. He was a huge contributor to all the success that the volleyball program enjoyed in the early 90s. Well deserved congratulations."
Lotman, Prosser, and Small will be inducted into the Wall of Honor, joining the current 29 members, on Monday, March 18 at the fifth annual Randy Sandefur Memorial Golf Tournament at El Dorado Park. The dinner will start at 5 p.m. To register for the golf tournament ($200 per golfer / $800 per foursome) or to purchase tickets for the dinner ($50 – dinner only), please visit: www.csulb.edu/athleticsevents.
Long Beach State Men's Volleyball Wall of Honor Members
Listed alphabetically
Tom Ashen (1971-73)
Darrell Auxier (1971-73)
Michael Barton (1971-73)
Mike Brawley (1979-81, 1983)
Rocky Ciarelli (1977-79)
Mike D'Alessandro (1980-82)
Tyler Hildebrand (2003-06)
Tim Hill (1976-78)
Brent Hilliard (1990-93)
Tom Hoff (1995-96)
Mark Kerins (1987-90)
Alan Knipe (1990-92)
Robert Kutsch (1987-90)
David Lee (2001-04)
Paul Lotman (2005-08)
Matt Lyles (1991-92)
David McKienzie (1998-01)
Miles Pabst (1973)
Dodge Parker (1970-71, 1973)
Jim Polster (1998-01)
Matt Prosser (1998-01)
Ray Ratelle (1982-00)
Randy Sandefur (1970-74)
Brett Schroeder (1989-92)
Chris Seiffert (1997-00)
Zach Small (1990-93)
Jason Stimpfig (1990-93)
Tom Thornton (1974, 1976, 1978)
Scott Touzinsky (2001-04)
Richard Valbuena (1977-79, 1981)
Tom Wade (1980)
Brett Winslow (1988-91)
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Long Beach State men's volleyball program will be inducting three new members to the Wall of Honor. The Class of 2018-19 consists of former players Paul Lotman, Matt Prosser, and Zach Small, who will be inducted on Monday, March 18 at the Wall of Honor dinner following the fifth annual Randy Sandefur Golf Tournament.
"This year's Wall of Honor inductees span two decades of 49er success and include a former Olympian, National Champion, and numerous record setters," said Harold Noriega, who played for LBSU from 1978-79. "All three of our inductees embody the work ethic and culture of the men's volleyball program. The Wall of Honor board is honored and proud to welcome the Wall of Honor Class of 2018-19."
The major criteria for the Wall of Honor, as outlined by the committee are as follows: the player must have represented Long Beach State men's volleyball with unparalleled success or achievement and truly embodied the passion, commitment, and loyalty that encompass a 49er men's volleyball player.
The trio each left their mark on Long Beach State in their own way. Both on and off the court, these three individuals have demonstrated a commitment to the program that has far exceeded expectations and has helped the Beach rise to one of the premier volleyball programs in the country.
Lotman, who played at LBSU from 2005-08, was an outside hitter for the Beach where he concluded his collegiate career as the 2008 AVCA Player of the Year. During his time at Long Beach State, the AVCA First Team All-American garnered AVCA National Player of the Week honors on two separate occasions, was named MPSF Player of the Year, and was a First Team All-MPSF selection. In his final year in Black and Gold, Lotman led the Long Beach State men's volleyball team to the 2008 NCAA Semifinals.
Following his storied career at Long Beach State, Lotman went on to have a successful professional career playing in Germany, Poland, Italy, France, Greece, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, he played on the U.S. Junior National Team in 2005, won a bronze medal at the World University Games in 2007, then went on to play on the U.S. Men's National Team.
"Paul Lotman is one of the best stories of success in Long Beach State Volleyball history," LBSU head coach Alan Knipe said of his former player. "Paul transformed himself from a walk on to the 2008 AVCA co-Player of the Year.
"After leaving Long Beach State, he represented the USA at the 2012 Olympic Games. Paul led his team with great passing and a great right arm. Paul is one of the first outside hitters in Long Beach State history to truly excel out of the back row. Having had the opportunity to coach Paul at Long Beach State and at the Olympic Games, I can truly say Paul Lotman is very deserving of this award."
Prosser played middle blocker at Long Beach State from 1998-2001 and started his collegiate career with a selection to Volleyball Magazine's Freshman All-American Team after setting the single-match record in his rookie season with a .867 hitting percentage against LMU. Prosser continued to tack on the honors in his sophomore season as he set the Walter Pyramid Record of 16 total blocks versus Loyola Marymount – a record that still stands today. He concluded his sophomore campaign with a selection to the All-MPSF Second Team and Volleyball Magazine All-America Third Team after setting the Long Beach State NCAA Tournament Single-Match record with nine block assists against Purdue Fort Wayne en route to leading the Beach to the 1999 NCAA Finals.
An AVCA and Volleyball Magazine First Team All-American in his junior season, Prosser was named to the All-MPSF First Team and garnered AVCA National Player of the Week honors in addition to setting the LBSU single-season record with an attack percentage of .489. Prosser wrapped up his collegiate career with a nod to the AVCA All-America Second Team and All-MPSF Honorable Mention selection.
Nearly two decades after leaving Long Beach State, Prosser still ranks fourth all-time in total blocks (510), fourth all-time in blocks per set (1.47), third in block assists (459), second in hitting percentage (.447) and 19th in kills (1,147). His eight 10-plus block matches are good for fourth in the LBSU annals and his 14 block assists are tied for the most in the LBSU single-match record book. Lastly, Prosser holds the record for highest career attack percentage (.453) in the Sideout Scoring Era before going on to serve as an assistant coach at Long Beach State and putting together a successful AVP Beach career.
"Matt was a four-year starter and a three-year captain, while picking up multiple All-American awards," Knipe explained. "Matt led by example each and every day on and off the court. During his years at Long Beach State, he established himself as one of the all-time best blockers. His all-in approach was a huge reason why his teams enjoyed great success, including a trip to the 1999 National Championship game. Matt also spent a few years as my assistant coach and helped lead us to the 2008 NCAA Final Four. Matt is very well deserving of this award and I am very proud of him."
Zach Small competed for the Beach from 1990-93 as both an outside hitter and middle blocker. The versatile Small helped lead Long Beach State to the 1990 NCAA Finals and later the program's first-ever NCAA National Championship in 1991. A leader both on and off the court, Small finished his collegiate career as the program's record holder for most career digs (886) in the Sideout Scoring Era after collecting a career-high 20 digs in a match against Pepperdine in 1992.
"Wall of Honor recognition for Zach Small is completely deserved and long overdue," former Long Beach State player, assistant coach, and Wall of Honor member Mike D'Alessandro said. "Of all the starters and main contributors that were amongst the teams during the early 90s, Zach has probably received the least amount of acclaim which is very ironic because the things he did for those teams were all hard and unselfish things which don't draw a lot of attention or show up on the stat sheet. He did all the little things that it takes to win at a very high level. Big time congratulations to Zach!"
A fixture in the Long Beach State all-time career record book, Small still ranks 17th with 1,169 career kills, is second all-time with 886 career digs, and is tied for fifth in the LBSU single-season annals with 2.53 digs per set.
"Huge congratulations to my teammate and good friend Zach Small," Knipe said. "Zach is the definition of the term 'great teammate' in everything he did. He played many different positions during his time at Long Beach State and excelled at all of them. Easily one of the best passers I have ever been around, as a coach or player. His ability to play defense and help his team in any role he was given separated him from the rest. He was a huge contributor to all the success that the volleyball program enjoyed in the early 90s. Well deserved congratulations."
Lotman, Prosser, and Small will be inducted into the Wall of Honor, joining the current 29 members, on Monday, March 18 at the fifth annual Randy Sandefur Memorial Golf Tournament at El Dorado Park. The dinner will start at 5 p.m. To register for the golf tournament ($200 per golfer / $800 per foursome) or to purchase tickets for the dinner ($50 – dinner only), please visit: www.csulb.edu/athleticsevents.
Long Beach State Men's Volleyball Wall of Honor Members
Listed alphabetically
Tom Ashen (1971-73)
Darrell Auxier (1971-73)
Michael Barton (1971-73)
Mike Brawley (1979-81, 1983)
Rocky Ciarelli (1977-79)
Mike D'Alessandro (1980-82)
Tyler Hildebrand (2003-06)
Tim Hill (1976-78)
Brent Hilliard (1990-93)
Tom Hoff (1995-96)
Mark Kerins (1987-90)
Alan Knipe (1990-92)
Robert Kutsch (1987-90)
David Lee (2001-04)
Paul Lotman (2005-08)
Matt Lyles (1991-92)
David McKienzie (1998-01)
Miles Pabst (1973)
Dodge Parker (1970-71, 1973)
Jim Polster (1998-01)
Matt Prosser (1998-01)
Ray Ratelle (1982-00)
Randy Sandefur (1970-74)
Brett Schroeder (1989-92)
Chris Seiffert (1997-00)
Zach Small (1990-93)
Jason Stimpfig (1990-93)
Tom Thornton (1974, 1976, 1978)
Scott Touzinsky (2001-04)
Richard Valbuena (1977-79, 1981)
Tom Wade (1980)
Brett Winslow (1988-91)
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