Billie Jean King Honored with New Mural at Long Beach Poly

Long Beach Polytechnic High School was proud to unveil an incredible mural in honor of all-time athletic champion and alum, Billie Jean King.

The mural was artistically crafted by Mike Sullivan, depicting King in her athletic years during her career's high point, when she won 39 Grand Slam titles and earned six No. 1 rankings.

Although not the first time King has been honored by the Long Beach Community, having previously named in the city’s main library as well as its tennis facility, it is Long Beach Poly's first permanent display at her alma mater for her incredible tennis achievements, advocacy for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality in sports. 

The wonderful ceremony was attended by dignitaries, the Poly tennis teams, the marching band, cheerleaders, and ASB students. King gave special thanks to Poly's vice principal, Dr. Julie Sparks, who organized the event.

King additionally expressed her enthusiasm for the mural and return to Poly, stating, “I loved coming to school. I loved looking up and seeing ‘Home of Scholars and Champions.’ It’s perfect. And ‘Enter to learn, go forth to serve.’ That tells you everything you should do with your life–it motivated me every day I came to school.”