It’s been a banner year for the Long Beach Century Club in 2008/09.  The dedicated members gathered one more time on Tuesday to celebrate a great 12 months and a great president in Bob Hoyt.

“It’s been a blast,” said Hoyt after the meeting that featured a report on the weekend’s Goose Invitational and guest speaker/former president/Jordan football coach Scott Meyer.  “I didn’t know what it was going to be like, but I’m so glad I did it.”

Hoyt is a long time member of the Century Club and made sure to thank the board, his wife, and the LBPost guys (not necessarily in that order) for helping him get though the year.  

While Hoyt took his turn as the Commander and Chief, the Club saw some of its most successful events like the Middle School Banquet that drew record numbers.  And even though he could talk all night about all the meetings he remembered (seriously, all night) here are Hoyt’s Top Three Favorite Moments of his term…

1) INSTALLATION DINNER
    When one president steps down the Club has a nice dinner where both the incoming and outgoing get a chance to address the club.  They reflect, talk about future plans, and sometimes get guest speakers.  Before Bill Baca handed over the gavel to Hoyt last July, one of those guest speakers was the infamous Misty May-Treanor.  If you haven’t seen the charming May-Treanor speak to a large gathering of adoring fans, you’re missing out.  “That night was just nuts,” says Hoyt.  “I remember being nervous, but after I met Misty and talked to her, I felt like I had made a new friend… I was ready to go.”

2) SPORTS BANQUET
    Every year in February, the Club honors Long Beach’s best athletes for that year.  “So, I get up on stage, and I look out at the crowd, and I just went, WOW.  Look at all this Long Beach history in front of me.  It was stunning.”

3) OLYMPIC NIGHT @ LEGENDS
    As the Beijing games got rolling, Hoyt dedicated one meeting in August to honor some local Olympians and have them address the Club.  On 2nd Street that night were Bruce Bradley, Suzie Atwood, Joan Van Blom and Bob Seagren.  Hoyt made a point to get a picture of the gathering, and email it to May-Treanor along with some good luck wishes.  She won her second gold medal about a week later.

Thanks to everyone at the Century Club for a great year and all the support for local athletics.  But a very special thanks to Bob Hoyt, who did a great job, and picked up the drink tab at the meeting.  Hail to the Chief!