The History of Long Beach Poly: Scholars and Champions

Long Beach Poly has produced more NFL and MLB players than any other high school. Alumni include household names like Billie Jean King, Snoop Dogg and Cameron Diaz. But before it was named the top athletic high school in America by Sports Illustrated, before it boasted nationally acclaimed academic magnet programs, Long Beach Poly had to overcome an extraordinary set of challenges. From a devastating earthquake that destroyed the original campus to racial tensions that rocked the school, Poly has persevered and excelled. Since its founding in 1895, Poly has been intrinsically woven into the fabric of the Long Beach community, affectionately known as the "Home of Scholars and Champions." Mike Guardabascio and Tyler Hendrickson tell the story of how a school rose from the ashes to become a powerhouse.

About the Author
Guardabascio, Mike: - "MIKE GUARDABASCIO has been covering Long Beach sports professionally for more than a decade and has had his work published in dozens of Southern California magazines and newspapers. He's the cofounder and editor of the562.org and has won numerous statewide awards for his coverage of the city. He's the author of two previous books for The History Press: Football in Long Beach and Basketball in Long Beach, written with Chris Trevino. He lives in Long Beach with his wife and children, Vincent and Maya. He can be reached on Twitter @Guardabascio or via e-mail at mike@the562.org.



TYLER HENDRICKSON was born and raised in Long Beach and graduated from Poly's PACE program in 2007. He spent five years as a sportswriter at the Gazette Newspapers and the Long Beach Press-Telegram and is currently an associate athletic communications director at his alma mater, Long Beach State University, where he earned his BS in business management and his MA in sport management. He can be reached on Twitter @STylerRoth or via e-mail at strh18@gmail.com."