Long Beach State Announces Inductees For The 2024 Return Of The LBSU Athletics Hall Of Fame
11/30/2023 1:01:00 PM | General
Returning following the COVID-19 pause, two teams and 11 individuals will be honored.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Athletics has determined the two teams and 11 individuals who will receive the honor of induction into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame, the first class inducted into the Hall since 2018.
Held at the Long Beach Marriott, Long Beach State will host a reception on February 8, 2024 as the inductees celebrate their enshrinement. Initially delayed after the COVID-19 pandemic, the bi-annual ceremony was postponed once more but has returned under the leadership of new athletics director Bobby Smitheran.
The first of two teams that will be recognized, 1964 Baseball was the first team to find true success on the diamond in the short history of Long Beach State Athletics at the time. Led by Don Anderson, Rick Bryson and John Gonsalves in the lineup, the team went 30-13 overall and 12-4 in conference play, advancing to the NCAA postseason for the first time. The team's .704 winning percentage remains the fifth highest in school history, and the team went 19-2 at home, the best home record in 70 years of LBSU baseball.
Joining them is one of the iconic women's teams at Long Beach State, the 1986-87 Women's Basketball team. Led by a tandem of high-powered scorers in Cindy Brown and Penny Toler, the team led by Joan Bonvicini turned the corner and reached the NCAA Final Four, going 33-3 on the year before falling to Pat Summit and the eventual national champions, Tennessee. The team finished the season ranked No. 4 in the nation, the highest in school history in women's basketball. The team went 17-1 in conference play and won the PCAA tournament, only falling in overtime on the road at Hawai'i in 21 games against conference opponents that season.
The 2013 National Player of the Year, Taylor Crabb ranks among the very best all-around players to compete in Men's Volleyball at Long Beach State. Crabb ranks eighth in career kills with 1,600 and fourth in career digs with 802, one of just two players to have 1,500 kills and 800 digs in school history, joining fellow LBSU Hall of Famer Mark Kerins. Crabb moved on to play professionally in Beach Volleyball, competing at the highest levels of the sport. Earning one of four sports allotted to American men for the 2020 Olympics, and also regularly competes in FIVB championships. On the professional side, Crabb is a two-time AVP MBP, and has won the AVP Defensive Player of the Year four times while claiming eight tournament championships during his time as a pro.
One of the legendary coaches in the women's game, Brian Gimmillaro will be joining the Long Beach State Hall of Fame. Taking over the program in 1985, Gimmillaro led Long Beach State to national prominence, ultimately leading the program to 835 wins in his 32 year tenure at the head of the program. He led the program to 3 National Championship, 8 Final Fours, 13 NCAA Regionals and 27 NCAA Tournament appearances. A 2008 inductee into the AVCA Hall of Fame, Gimmillaro still ranks 20th in NCAA history in coaching wins.
Shawna Gordon anchored the center of the field for Long Beach State during the memorable Elite Eight run for Women's Soccer. The 2011 Big West Midefielder of the Year, Gordon holds the school record for games played, and ranks in the program's Top 10 with 17 goals and third in school history with 24 assists as the maestro for the best team in LBSU history. A three-time first team All-Big West selection and a four-time conference honoree, Gordon went on to professional success, becoming the first player from Long Beach State to sign and play in the National Women's Soccer League.
Brent Gray is the most dominant sprinter of Long Beach State's modern era of track and field. A two-time First Team All-American, Gray holds still holds five school records 15 years after his graduation, first in indoor 60m and 200m, the 4x100 outdoor relay team as well as the 100m and 200m at the Beach. Gray twice finished in the Top 5 at the NCAA Championships in his signature event, the 200m, and capped off his career by competing in five events at the 2008 NCAA Championships, qualifying as part of the nation's Top 16 in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m.
A two-time All-American, Brittany Hochevar was a dynamic all-around player for Long Beach State who ranks seventh in career assists for the Beach. Hochevar led the Beach in assists during a run to the NCAA regionals as a sophomore in 2000, and then transitioned to outside hitter for the team's unbeaten run to the NCAA title game finishing third on the team with 262 kills and leading the squad with 324 digs. As a senior, Hochevar moved back to setter and guided the Beach to a 28-4 record while earning All-Big West honors for the third time. Professionally, Hochevar transitioned into beach volleyball, where she would play for 15 seasons, claiming four AVP tournament championships.
Erin Jones-Wesley is the signature pitcher of Long Beach State's modern era. Softball's career leader in Wins and Strikeouts, Jones-Wesley piled up 84 victories and 728 strikeouts over four seasons as the ace for Long Beach State. Breaking onto the scene as the Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and Pitcher of the Year as a freshman in 2011, Jones-Wesley finished with a 23-8 record with 172 strikeouts in her first season. As a sophomore she went 21-13 while leading Long Beach State to the Big West title. She repeated that feat one more time as a senior, posting a 20-10 overall record with 189 strikeouts as the Beach advanced to the postseason for the third time in her four seasons, four seasons in which she was named First Team All-Big West.
Still Long Beach State's record holder in 100m and 200m dash, Andrea Lynch remains the top pure sprinter in Long Beach State history. A key member of Long Beach State's first women's track and field teams, Lynch remains the program's top scorer in postseason history after finishing as the runner-up in both sprint events at the 1977 NCAA Championship. She went on to be a two-time Olympian, competing in the 100m dash and the 4x100m relay at both the 1972 Munich Games and the 1976 Games in Montreal.
It would be extremely difficult to name a single person who has had a greater impact on Long Beach State Athletics than Cindy Masner, who retired in 2020 after 37 years of service, all within the athletic department. Masner twice served as interim Athletics Director, and was a champion for equal rights and opportunity, serving on countless committees and boards and earning a reputation as a respected voice in the national conversation regarding collegiate athletics. Masner began her time as a softball student-athlete in Long Beach, and played a critical role in much of the success of Long Beach State in all areas from that time on.
Jeff McNeil was a standout for the Dirtbags who has gone on to shine even brighter in Major League Baseball. Playing for three seasons at Long Beach State, McNeil was a versatile defensive star who led the 2013 squad with a .348 batting average and hitting 16 doubles, earning First Team All-Big West honors. Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 2013 draft, McNeil battled through the minors until he broke through with the Mets in 2018. Since then he has been one of the best players in baseball, earning two All-Star Game appearances and batting over .300 in four of his five seasons in the show.
A member of one of the early breakout track and field teams of the Beach, Gary Patterson is also being inducted. An accomplished hurdler, he defeated future Gold Medalist Rafter Johnson in 1960 with a 14.2 time in the 120 HH, and was a member of relay teams that set school records in the 440 and 880 relays. He was the league champion in the 120 HH in 1960, and placed second in three events at the Small College NCAA Championships.
Rounding out the class is another member of Long Beach State's "Fab Four," TJ Robinson. Robinson was the inside force for some of the best teams of the modern era of Beach Basketball, helping lead Long Beach State to three straight Big West championships and the 2011-12 NCAA Championship. The leading rebounder in program history, Robinson finished his career with 1,208 rebounds, more than 300 more than his closes competitor while also ranking fifth in career scoring at the Beach with 1.718 points. A double-double machine, he averaged a double-double in each of his four seasons at Long Beach State, and finished his career with 55 double-doubles.
The Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1986, and now holds nearly 250 members who represent the very best of Long Beach State throughout its history.
Held at the Long Beach Marriott, Long Beach State will host a reception on February 8, 2024 as the inductees celebrate their enshrinement. Initially delayed after the COVID-19 pandemic, the bi-annual ceremony was postponed once more but has returned under the leadership of new athletics director Bobby Smitheran.
The first of two teams that will be recognized, 1964 Baseball was the first team to find true success on the diamond in the short history of Long Beach State Athletics at the time. Led by Don Anderson, Rick Bryson and John Gonsalves in the lineup, the team went 30-13 overall and 12-4 in conference play, advancing to the NCAA postseason for the first time. The team's .704 winning percentage remains the fifth highest in school history, and the team went 19-2 at home, the best home record in 70 years of LBSU baseball.
Joining them is one of the iconic women's teams at Long Beach State, the 1986-87 Women's Basketball team. Led by a tandem of high-powered scorers in Cindy Brown and Penny Toler, the team led by Joan Bonvicini turned the corner and reached the NCAA Final Four, going 33-3 on the year before falling to Pat Summit and the eventual national champions, Tennessee. The team finished the season ranked No. 4 in the nation, the highest in school history in women's basketball. The team went 17-1 in conference play and won the PCAA tournament, only falling in overtime on the road at Hawai'i in 21 games against conference opponents that season.
The 2013 National Player of the Year, Taylor Crabb ranks among the very best all-around players to compete in Men's Volleyball at Long Beach State. Crabb ranks eighth in career kills with 1,600 and fourth in career digs with 802, one of just two players to have 1,500 kills and 800 digs in school history, joining fellow LBSU Hall of Famer Mark Kerins. Crabb moved on to play professionally in Beach Volleyball, competing at the highest levels of the sport. Earning one of four sports allotted to American men for the 2020 Olympics, and also regularly competes in FIVB championships. On the professional side, Crabb is a two-time AVP MBP, and has won the AVP Defensive Player of the Year four times while claiming eight tournament championships during his time as a pro.
One of the legendary coaches in the women's game, Brian Gimmillaro will be joining the Long Beach State Hall of Fame. Taking over the program in 1985, Gimmillaro led Long Beach State to national prominence, ultimately leading the program to 835 wins in his 32 year tenure at the head of the program. He led the program to 3 National Championship, 8 Final Fours, 13 NCAA Regionals and 27 NCAA Tournament appearances. A 2008 inductee into the AVCA Hall of Fame, Gimmillaro still ranks 20th in NCAA history in coaching wins.
Shawna Gordon anchored the center of the field for Long Beach State during the memorable Elite Eight run for Women's Soccer. The 2011 Big West Midefielder of the Year, Gordon holds the school record for games played, and ranks in the program's Top 10 with 17 goals and third in school history with 24 assists as the maestro for the best team in LBSU history. A three-time first team All-Big West selection and a four-time conference honoree, Gordon went on to professional success, becoming the first player from Long Beach State to sign and play in the National Women's Soccer League.
Brent Gray is the most dominant sprinter of Long Beach State's modern era of track and field. A two-time First Team All-American, Gray holds still holds five school records 15 years after his graduation, first in indoor 60m and 200m, the 4x100 outdoor relay team as well as the 100m and 200m at the Beach. Gray twice finished in the Top 5 at the NCAA Championships in his signature event, the 200m, and capped off his career by competing in five events at the 2008 NCAA Championships, qualifying as part of the nation's Top 16 in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m.
A two-time All-American, Brittany Hochevar was a dynamic all-around player for Long Beach State who ranks seventh in career assists for the Beach. Hochevar led the Beach in assists during a run to the NCAA regionals as a sophomore in 2000, and then transitioned to outside hitter for the team's unbeaten run to the NCAA title game finishing third on the team with 262 kills and leading the squad with 324 digs. As a senior, Hochevar moved back to setter and guided the Beach to a 28-4 record while earning All-Big West honors for the third time. Professionally, Hochevar transitioned into beach volleyball, where she would play for 15 seasons, claiming four AVP tournament championships.
Erin Jones-Wesley is the signature pitcher of Long Beach State's modern era. Softball's career leader in Wins and Strikeouts, Jones-Wesley piled up 84 victories and 728 strikeouts over four seasons as the ace for Long Beach State. Breaking onto the scene as the Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and Pitcher of the Year as a freshman in 2011, Jones-Wesley finished with a 23-8 record with 172 strikeouts in her first season. As a sophomore she went 21-13 while leading Long Beach State to the Big West title. She repeated that feat one more time as a senior, posting a 20-10 overall record with 189 strikeouts as the Beach advanced to the postseason for the third time in her four seasons, four seasons in which she was named First Team All-Big West.
Still Long Beach State's record holder in 100m and 200m dash, Andrea Lynch remains the top pure sprinter in Long Beach State history. A key member of Long Beach State's first women's track and field teams, Lynch remains the program's top scorer in postseason history after finishing as the runner-up in both sprint events at the 1977 NCAA Championship. She went on to be a two-time Olympian, competing in the 100m dash and the 4x100m relay at both the 1972 Munich Games and the 1976 Games in Montreal.
It would be extremely difficult to name a single person who has had a greater impact on Long Beach State Athletics than Cindy Masner, who retired in 2020 after 37 years of service, all within the athletic department. Masner twice served as interim Athletics Director, and was a champion for equal rights and opportunity, serving on countless committees and boards and earning a reputation as a respected voice in the national conversation regarding collegiate athletics. Masner began her time as a softball student-athlete in Long Beach, and played a critical role in much of the success of Long Beach State in all areas from that time on.
Jeff McNeil was a standout for the Dirtbags who has gone on to shine even brighter in Major League Baseball. Playing for three seasons at Long Beach State, McNeil was a versatile defensive star who led the 2013 squad with a .348 batting average and hitting 16 doubles, earning First Team All-Big West honors. Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 2013 draft, McNeil battled through the minors until he broke through with the Mets in 2018. Since then he has been one of the best players in baseball, earning two All-Star Game appearances and batting over .300 in four of his five seasons in the show.
A member of one of the early breakout track and field teams of the Beach, Gary Patterson is also being inducted. An accomplished hurdler, he defeated future Gold Medalist Rafter Johnson in 1960 with a 14.2 time in the 120 HH, and was a member of relay teams that set school records in the 440 and 880 relays. He was the league champion in the 120 HH in 1960, and placed second in three events at the Small College NCAA Championships.
Rounding out the class is another member of Long Beach State's "Fab Four," TJ Robinson. Robinson was the inside force for some of the best teams of the modern era of Beach Basketball, helping lead Long Beach State to three straight Big West championships and the 2011-12 NCAA Championship. The leading rebounder in program history, Robinson finished his career with 1,208 rebounds, more than 300 more than his closes competitor while also ranking fifth in career scoring at the Beach with 1.718 points. A double-double machine, he averaged a double-double in each of his four seasons at Long Beach State, and finished his career with 55 double-doubles.
The Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1986, and now holds nearly 250 members who represent the very best of Long Beach State throughout its history.
Women's Volleyball Postgame Press Conference vs SDSU
Sunday, September 14
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs Oregon
Saturday, September 13
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs UCLA
Tuesday, September 02
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs Oregon State
Monday, September 01
