Each year we present the Spirit of Long Beach award to a person or group of people that’s inspired us over the course of the school year. This year, LBCC Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics, and Public Health Randy Totorp is our obvious selection.
Anyone who’s seen the revitalization of LBCC’s sports facilities knows that they’re seeing a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. The Vikings went from having arguably the worst competition pool in the city to a crown jewel Olympic-sized pool that’s been used for high school, JC, and college meets as well as hosted the United States water polo teams as they train. The Vikings’ brand new sand courts have been used as a Moore League, CIF-SS, and Big West NCAA championship venues, and upgrades to the school’s soccer and softball facilities have also turned heads.
Totorp and athletic director Kal Stewart deserve credit for much more than just getting world-class facilities built, however. LBCC is one of the few large sports institutions that have retained a community, hometown feel. When the Moore League needed a new venue for league swim finals, LBCC answered the call. When they needed a place for beach volleyball competition, LBCC answered the call. In a sports world increasingly ruled by liability and paperwork, LBCC has continued to put the kids and people of Long Beach first, an unfortunate rarity in today’s day and age.
It’s not surprising to see that philosophy come top-down from Totorp, who has been incredibly successful at every level of sports in the city. He was a standout volleyball player at Lakewood High, LBCC, and San Diego State, then coached the Vikings men’s volleyball team to three state titles and seven conference titles. He took over as athletic director in 2011 and has been a leader on campus and in getting top-notch coaches hired and top-notch facilities built. After a stint at Saddleback, Totorp returned home to Long Beach as a Dean in 2021. We hope he’ll be on campus and continue to be a leader in the city’s sports world for decades to come.
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