Monday, November 27, 2023
RIP Mike Fanelli
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Who Was Faster? A Meaningless Poll
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Steps Forward On The Cross Country Course
Penn State made strides forward on the Madison, Wisconsin Cross Country course at the Big Ten Championships. Both the Men and Women had performances that matched their best in several years. Both performed better than their pre-race predicted finishes.
The women finished 4th with 3 attaining All-Big Ten honors:
- Madaline Ullom 6th
- Florence Caron 11th
- Kileigh Kane 13th
The Men placed 6th with Evan Dorenkamp placing 17th
Saturday, October 21, 2023
It's Already Championship Season!
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Homecoming
It was Homecoming yesterday in University Park and the football team dominated poor ole UMass in what I consider a little bit of overkill. But what do I know? I admit I don't keep up with things anymore, and never watch any pre-game or post-game blather. I also turn the sound off, so because of Penn State's glorious no-name uniforms, I don't know any of the players names unless there are graphics involved on the screen.
Football Alumni make up the largest sports alumni group at Penn State Athletics. I would bet their active numbers are higher than 75%. The second largest sports alumni group is Penn State Track and Field/Cross Country. With all the work Clark Haley and others have done for 21 years now, we reach less than 20% of the total number. Rather disappointing , to say the least. We continue to work to get those numbers higher.
So, it is heartwarming to hear from new members. And when we do, I try to highlight them. This example is especially cool because it points out that Clark truly is a Leader. Thanks, Clark!
So, to guys like Clark Haley and everyone else on that '81 XC team...I wish I had been a better teammate and friend, but make no mistake, it was one of the most memorable years of my life.
I have had lots of interactions over the years with my buddy Mark Heckel, who didn't believe I ran at PSU until he checked the team track photo. :-) Both there at the same time, but throwers lived on a different planet.
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Evan Dorenkamp Channels Che Arosemena
Friday, September 22, 2023
We are everywhere!
Including along the Danube River. Mark Heckel, our Director of Security, has been touring all of Europe for the past 45 months (or so it seems to me). He met up with Brian Boyer (our Official Physicist and soon-to-be ex-European Liaison). Brian will be moving back to State College in the coming week, where Mark will be able to visit him often (including at our next Reunion and Golf Tourney!).
Incredible usage of the Alumni Jersey!
Friday, September 15, 2023
Gunny Was a Remarkable Man
It is with sadness that I report the passing of Roger "Gunny" Roll. It is hard to describe Gunny in just words, but here are a few items I find interesting...
- He was Coach Groves' best friend for many years. Years that were difficult for him.
- He would take 10 mile runs with the team in my early years. Teams that were in the top-4 in the Division I NCAA XC. I probably couldn't do that 1 year after graduation!
- He had more than 1 Purple Heart from Vietnam. I think the number was three, but really "just 1" would garner my greatest respect.
- He taught me many things in those days, sometimes in words, and sometimes by just watching how he interacted with the world around him.
- I never heard him say a negative thing about anyone.
- He was a long-time Official for NCAA meets in both XC and Track and Field.
Never had an interaction with him that wasn't positive. RIP (Thanks to Mark Heckel for the photo and the word on the news.)
We have lost all 3 of these giants of PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) in the last several years.
Monday, September 4, 2023
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Our Le Faucon d'orange Put Together This Slideshow For The Coaches' Remembrances
Mark Hawkins put a lot of work into a slideshow that was run throughout the ceremonies held at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track recently. Don't forget to thank him when you next see him!