Long-Time 49er Track & Field Assistant Dave Rodda Announces Retirement

Long-Time 49er Track & Field Assistant Dave Rodda Announces Retirement Dave Rodda served 11 years as an assistant at LBSU


Dave Rodda helped the 49ers to four Big West titles in his 11 years as an assistant coach at Long Beach State.

Dec. 30, 2013

LONG BEACH - Long-time 49er track & field assistant coach Dave Rodda has announced his retirement after serving over 11 years at his alma mater.

Rodda joined Long Beach State head coach Andy Sythe's staff in December of 2002, and worked primarily with the long jump, high jump and multi-events. During his time at LBSU, Rodda's athletes made 12 NCAA Championship appearances and earned six All-America honors.

With Rodda on staff, the 49er men also claimed four Big West championships (2006, 2008, 2011, 2013). Rodda played a key role in those titles as he coached nine conference champions and 28 All-Big West performers. Five of his athletes also garnered All-MPSF indoor honors.

In addition, Rodda tutored four Big West Athletes of the Year, including two-time All-American Chris Richardson, who claimed the league's top honor in 2006 and 2008.

"There isn't a finer coach out there than Dave Rodda," Sythe said. "His level of expertise is unmatched in this profession and he will be truly missed. It's not only his working knowledge that made him the outstanding coach he is, but it's also his ability to work with and motivate student-athletes that makes him truly special."

Rodda helped his athletes establish five combined indoor and outdoor school records, and his group has 54 marks on the LBSU all-time top-10 list.

Outside of Long Beach State, Rodda has coached track & field at the regional, national and international levels. In his career, he has worked with 11 Olympians, including high jump bronze medalist Joni Huntley, sprinter Martha Watson and 1996 U.S. Olympian Sharon Hansen.

In 1996, Rodda was distinguished as a Master Coach, the highest recognition in coaching education by USA Track & Field. On the international level, Rodda served as the jumps and combined events coach for the United States Women's Olympic Team in 1980 and 1988. He also served as the head coach for Team USA at the 1991 World Championships and at the 1995 Pan American Games.




Rodda is a 1968 graduate of Long Beach State and retired as the Director of Recreation and Community Services in the nearby city of Lakewood in 2002.

Courtesy Long Beach State