Alan Knipe's win-loss record presently stands at 226–133 (.630 percentage). He has been to the final four a total of four times: twice as a player (1990, 1991) and twice as a coach (2004, 2008). He was a member of Long Beach's only—1991--NCAA Men's VB National Championship Team; coming up a game short in coaching the 2008 team to NCAA Runners-up, he has yet to coach the 49ers to its second NCAA National Championship. He was the head coach of the U.S. National Team, until 2012, and he returned to LBSU upon completing his service.
The volleyball team played in the Goldmine gymnasium at CSULB until 1994. Since November 30, 1994, the team has played at the Walter Pyramid. The 18-story tall complex has played host twice to the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships (2001, 2003). Its infrastructure utilizes 18,000 steel tubes and connection modules. It cost approximately $22 million to build.
National championships
1991: NCAA by defeating USC
With an overall record of 31 wins and just 4 losses, the 1991 NCAA Men's Volleyball Champions swept three out of their five post-season opponents. In the WIVA Tournament (Irvine, CA) the 49ers beat UCSB and SDSU 3–0 before overcoming county/national nemesis, the UCLA Bruins 3–2. From there it was on to Hawaii for the '91 Final Four. 'the Beach' said aloha to Penn State in a clean sweep 3–0; they then needed an extra game winning 3–1 over longtime rival USC for their first and only national championship to date.
1991's team included these mentionable leaders: Alan Knipe, Brent Hilliard (NCAA Final Four MVP), Brett Winslow, Jason Stimpfig and Ray Ratelle (Asics/VB Mag. & AVCA C.O.Y.). No other 'BEACH' Men's VB Team has ever won as many games as this singular team; they were a combined 89% in their win-lost ratio.
Notable players
Taylor Crabb – 2013 AVCA P.O.Y.; AVCA 2013 & 2014 1st Team All-American, 2012 Volleyball Magazine 3rd Team All-American
Bob Ctvrtlik – Asics/VB Mag. honorable mention All-American (1983), First U.S. Olympic Team Member/49er who won Olympic Medals in men's volleyball (1988, gold; 1992, bronze)
Tyler Hildebrande – 4 yr starter who simultaneously doubled as the U.S. National Team's setter (2003–2012), 3-time AVCA—and Asics/VB Mag.--1st Team All-American (2004–2006), all 3rd team MPSF 15th Yr. Anniversary Team. Current Associate Coach (2013–present).
Tim Hill – 2-time all SCIVA Conference Player, AVP Hall of Famer
Brent Hilliard – 4-time All-American (1990 Asics/VB Mag. Freshman; AVCA 1st Team: 1991, 1992; AVCA 2nd Team: 1993; Asics/VB Mag. 1st Team: 1991–'93), 1992 AVCA National Player of the Year, all 1st team MPSF 15th Yr. Anniversary Team, U.S. Olympic Team Member (1992, Bronze Medalist)
Tom Hoff – 2-time AVCA—and Asics/VB Mag.--1st Team All-American (1995, 1996), U.S. Olympic Team Member (2000; 2004; 2008, gold medalist), all 2nd Team MPSF 15th Yr. Anniversary Team, Collegiate triple-doubles leader (K-B-D)
Mark Kerins – Asics/VB Mag. 1st Team All-American (1990), Asics/VB Mag. 2nd Team All-American (1989), AVP Beach Pro (1993–2000), Senior captain of the most superior 49er men's team assembled in LBSU history.
Alan Knipe – 2-time AVCA—and Asics/VB Mag.--All-American (1991, 2nd team; 1992, 1st team), 2004 AVCA Coach of the Year (LBSU Men's VB), U.S. National Team Coach (2009–2012)
David Lee – 2004 AVCA 1st Team All-American, 2008 Olympic gold medalist.
Paul Lotman – 2008 AVCA 1st Team All-American & National Player of the Year
David McKenzie – 3-time All-American (AVCA 2nd Team: 1999, AVCA 1st Team: 2000, 2001 & Asics/VB Mag. 2nd Team: 1999, Asics/VB Mag. 3rd Team: 2000), holds the NCAA record for kills in a game (58/106 attempts), all 3rd team MPSF 15th Yr. Anniversary Team, sibling to Joy Fuerbringer (class of 1993, NCAA National Women's VB Champion, AVCA All-American)
Miles Pabst – 2-time All-American who led the team to the 1973 NCAA Final Four, U.S. National Team Member, First 49er to return to LBSU as head coach (1975–1976)
Dodge Parker – Pioneer from VB factory Punahou School ('69 class), 1986 LBSU Hall of Fame Inductee, NCAA Men's VB (1970, 1973) & International Volleyball Association's Star, U.S. National Team Member (1973–'80ish)
Brett Winslow – 1996 Olympian and team captain of the 1991 national title squad.
