TRADITIONS
Long Beach State Athletics Style Guide (PDF)
NICKNAMES
"Beach Athletics" is the only term associated with our intercollegiate athletics program. Our teams, too, simply carry the prefix "Beach" in front of the sport name. The only exception to this is the term "Dirtbags," which is a longstanding informal nickname for the Long Beach State baseball team.
WHAT IS A DIRTBAG?
The nickname of Long Beach State baseball team refers to the program's style of play and success against higher profile programs. The moniker was first coined for Coach Snow's first team in 1989 which was comprised of nearly all new players. Playing without a home field (LBCC, Cerritos JC and Blair Field), and practicing at a local all-dirt Pony Field, that team won its first 18 games and advanced to Long Beach State's first College World Series appearance. Then-infield coach Dave Malpass would take his infielders to the all-dirt field for their rigorous workout. The infielders would return to the regular practice field after their sessions covered in dirt. Thus the name Dirtbags was born. The name resurfaced again in 1993 when the 12-12 baseball team rallied to win 34 of their next 41 games and finish three outs short of the National Championship game. The Dirtbags were once again a fan favorite at the 1998 College World Series as the country received a lesson in Dirtbag baseball.
SCHOOL COLORS
Originally, the school colors were brown and gold, however, in 1989 football coach George Allen decided to change his football uniforms. Instead of using brown, he substituted black and the colors black and gold were adopted. The colors officially changed in the spring of 2000, passed by a student referendum. Swimming and water polo teams have used black and gold for much longer, since it's a bit difficult to find brown swim caps in Southern California.
THE NAME
Even though its official name is California State University, Long Beach, in athletics the university is known as Long Beach State. The name of the University has changed several times over its short history. The school was originally known as Los Angeles-Orange County State College, but was soon known as Long Beach State College as the campus moved to its current location from the old Anaheim Street building. In the mid-60's. the name officially changed again to California State College at Long Beach, then in the 70's it changed again to its current official name, California State University, Long Beach.
Long Beach State is the official name for reference to the athletics teams.
THE MASCOT
Elbee joined the university in August 2020 following a 2019 student-led process that selected the shark as The Beach's new mascot. While Elbee is a shark, the university's Division I intercollegiate athletics program remains "Beach Athletics." Illustrations of Elbee are developed and issued only by the university's Strategic Communications unit, and may not be altered in any way. The sale of Elbee merchandise and the licensing of Elbee artwork is managed exclusively by the institutionally-affiliated '49er Shops. In real-life physical form, appearances by Elbee at games and university events is managed by Beach Athletics. There is only one Elbee. Elbee does not have a spouse nor family members. Elbee transcends gender and uses the pronoun "they." Elbee is nonverbal, and Elbee's name may not be modified in any way, such as appending a prefix or suffix. The term "Elbee" and illustrations of Elbee are legally protected.
THE FIGHT SONG
The Long Beach State Fight Song was composed in cooperation with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.
ALMA MATER
Alma Mater Hail to Thee
And We Pledge Our Loyalty
To the College of Our Choice
Thee We Serve With Hand and Voice
Now and in the Future Bright
Citadel of Truth and Right
Honor, Glory and Renown
All are Thine Dear Gold and Brown
CONFERENCE AFFILIATION
Long Beach State Men's sports were established in the fall of 1950, and joined the California Collegiate Athletic Association, or CCAA, in 1956-57. In 1969, Long Beach State became one of the charter members of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, or PCAA, and remain in that conference, now known as the Big West, to this day. The baseball team played in the Southern California Baseball Association (SCBA) from 1977-85.
Women's teams have played in the ECCSCC (Extramural Coordinating Council of Southern California Colleges) from 1965-71, the SCWIAC (Southern California Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) from 1971-76, the WCAA (Western Collegiate Athletic Association) from 1976-85, and the PCAA/Big West since 1985.
Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field, two sports not sponsored by the Big West, play in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, or MPSF. Previously, the Beach also participated in the MPSF for Men's Volleyball and Men's Water Polo. Both Men's Volleyball and Men's Water Polo have now joined the Big West as the conference has added both sports as part of their primary sporting platform.
OTHER UNIQUE TRADITIONS
The Big Brown Music Machine, or BBMM, is a world-class band (which returns annually for an alumni concert during basketball season). According to its website, there were no slackers, and no blasting: Good sound, clean execution, and great intonation made our signature sound, unmatched before or since by any other band on the West Coast.
Another tradition involves fans such to "remain standing until opposing teams score their first basket". It was a big tradition back when both basketball teams played at the Goldmine in the 1980's and 1990's, and continues in part today at the Walter Pyramid.
During the early 1970's, the team's signature song was from the musical, "Jesus Christ, Superstar." The song was played when Ed Ratleff, and others, entered the Gold Mine or the Long Beach Arena during warmups. It also played when the team broke following timeouts and then at the conclusion of the game. Most of the time the song was played by the student band, complete with drums and electric guitar.
