The Santa Monica College Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 2005 by the SMC Foundation. Its purpose is to recognize coaches, alumni and donors who have made outstanding contributions to the college and to the world of amateur and professional athletics.

The wall was donated to the College during its 75th Anniversary celebration and in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Foundation’s existence. The first inductees were installed on November 12, 2005.

Funding for the project was made possible by contributions through the President’s Circle, an annual giving support group begun in 2001. Circle funds are used for Margin of Excellence programs designed to enhance both the teaching profession and the learning experience for the campus’ faculty and students.

The Sports Hall of Fame brings deserved attention to the outstanding programs and rich sports traditions of Santa Monica College. It exemplifies the importance of saying “well done” to those who have participated in those traditions and to those who will carry them on.

Each year a class will be selected for induction. Nominations are welcome. See Criteria and Nomination Process. The nomination form may be downloaded and mailed to the SMC Foundation, Attn: Sports Hall of Fame Committee, 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica CA 90405.

Dr. Kay Teer Crawford (In Memoriam) established the Coronettes, SMC’s Drill Team, in the late 1950s. During her tenure here from 1955 to 1984. Dr. Crawford was the first woman chair of SMC’s Health, Physical Education & Dance Department and also served as the first Director of Emeritus College.

A leader in the development of physical education curricula, she created the first physical education course in Texas in 1930. She was a Dance & Drill Team Director for over 50 years, producing ten half-time Super Bowl shows and several other televised performances.

Dr. Crawford established a scholarship in her name in 2000. Each year awards are given to deserving physical education, recreation and dance students in her honor.

Lenny Krayzelburg backstroked his way to four Olympic Gold Medals, sweeping the three events in 2000 and earning another Gold as a member of the relay medley team in 2004.While attending SMC from 1992 to 1994, he won three California Junior College Conference Championships under the tutelage of swimming coach, Stu Blumkin. He continued his training at the University of Southern California, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Krayzelburg and his family emigrated to the U.S. from the Soviet Union when he was 14. He continues to make swimming possible for children through the Lenny Krayzelburg Foundation, which works with local swim clubs and pools to create swimming clinics and programs for at-risk youth.

Johnny Gray’s 20-year career as a competitive sprinter made him a four-time Olympian. He still holds the American 800-meter indoor and outdoor records. Johnny attended SMC 1979 through 1980, where he was coached by Olympic Gold Medalist Tommie Smith, and graduated from Arizona State University in 1982.

He participated in the Olympic Games in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996, winning a Bronze Medal in the 800 meters in 1992. He won Gold Medals at the 1987 and 1997 Pan American games.

Gray and fellow Olympian Quincy Watts co-own Neo-Tone Apparel. They invented Neo-Tone, a combination of Neoprene and Lycra, to maximize flexibility and warmth in athletic wear, therefore continuing to make a significant contribution to the world of amateur and professional sports.

John Joseph is perhaps the most well-known, popular and respected figure in the history of SMC sports. Upon hearing of his nomination, the foundation office received calls from around the country from those with whom he had worked and coached.

His career as head SMC swimming coach is the “stuff” movies are made of. From his debut in 1951 until his retirement in 1992, Joseph produced more than 300 All-Americans. He racked up 13 undefeated seasons, and coached 20 Conference Championship teams and one State Championship team. He was named Conference Coach of the Year 21 times and State Coach of the Year three times.

Ironically, when he arrived at SMC in 1950 to coach football and swimming, Coach Joseph had never coached swimming. He had never even participated in the sport. It quickly became a passion. He is beloved by four decades of swimmers – both men and women – who gather annually to salute him.