LBCC to host memorial service for former head coach Bill Fraser on June 15

A memorial service to celebrate the life of former Long Beach City College men's basketball coach Bill Fraser will be held on Sunday, June 15 beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the LBCC Hall of Champions Gym located at 4901 E. Carson Street, Long Beach. 

Fraser passed away on April 18 at the age of 85. He served as head coach of the Vikings from 1973-90 and at the time of his retirement was the school's all-time winningest coach in program history.

Fraser led the Vikings to a 1976 state championship as well as six trips to the state final four. Under his direction, LBCC qualified for the playoffs 13 times. He was twice named the Metropolitan Conference Coach of the Year for all sports.

In 2003, Fraser was elected into the second class of the LBCC Hall of Champions along with other Long Beach icons as Dee Andrews, Ron Crawford, Monte Nitzkowski, and Greg Townsend. He is also a member of the California Community College Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

"Bill was an extraordinary man and an extraordinary coach," said Gary Anderson, who served as an assistant coach to Fraser before taking over the program following his retirement. "We would all be so lucky to have a life like his."

Prior to LBCC, Fraser also served as boy's basketball head coach at Long Beach Wilson High School where he is also a member of its athletic hall of fame.

A scholarship in his name has been established by the Long Beach City College Foundation. For information on donating to the scholarship, please contact Ginny Baxter at (562) 938-4634.

For more information regarding Sunday's service, please contact brookebohm@verizon.net or Gary Anderson at (562) 938-4501.