Long Beach State men's basketball remembers Couch

The Long Beach State men’s basketball program spent the weekend mouing and remembering former assistant coach Vic Couch who passed away on Friday at the age of 53 after a long battle with illness.

Head coach Dan Monson, who had Couch on his staff for 14 years, was remembering his friend and colleague by telling trading stories about Couch with his family.

“They were stories about (Couch) joking around,” Monson said. “He was so funny. Not jokes out of a book, but just the way he looked at life was funny.”

Monson remembers one road trip where a player asked if the team could stop at the fast food restaurant Wendy’s for dinner. Couch said, “When you when-deez games.”

Former LBSU player Greg Plater was one of many 49er alumni to express their feelings on social media.

“Couch was a one of a kind spirit,” Plater said. “He had a special energy about him that made you feel comfortable to be yourself. He was one of the funniest people I have ever met who could make light out of any situation with a huge smile and infectious laugh.”

Couch’s memorial is Monday June 27 (9 a.m.) Forest Lawn Memorial.

NCAA baseball

Over the weekend, Long Beach State Dirtbag sophomore Darren McCaughan was named second team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, and shortstop Garrett Hampson made the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team, becoming the first Dirtbags player to receive the honor.

McCaughan is the first Dirtbags player to me named ABCA All-American since Evan Longoria was a third-team selection in 2006. McCaughan was also the 2016 Big West Pitcher of the Year after going 10-1 with a 2.03 ERA in his first full season as a starter.

Hampson made just three errors in the regular season, finishing the year with a .982 fielding percentage. LBSU ranked 19th in the country with a .977 fielding percentage this season.

Earlier this month, Hampson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies with the 81st pick in the MLB Draft. He officially signed last week and was assigned to the Class A Short Season Boise Hawks.

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