The Ones Who Started It All

Two years ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming Horace Ashenfelter, Al Porto and Bob Parsons to our Alumni Reunion and Golf Tourney.  Eight decades worth of PSU Track and Field and Cross Country Alumni got together for the very first time.  I doubt if other Alumni Groups can boast the same!

I learned several things from them at the time:

1. Al Porto and Horace Ashenfelter are both better golfers than I.  Bob told me he no longer golfs. SO I got him beat.
2. A long run for those 3 NCAA Champions was considered anything over 3 miles.  A 5 mile run was the longest they went.  And never on Sunday.
3. All three of them credited Curtis Stone for encouraging them to run.

With the help of our new friend from British Columbia, George Brose, I have been pointed to some great stuff.  His Blog, Once Upon a Time in the Vest is a treasure trove of great stuff from the 50's, 60's and 70's of Track and Field, and is well worth a visit.  Prepare to spend some time.

Curt Stone is, of course, familiar to a lot of us.  He was quite a remarkable character and ran in 3 Olympics, after what he calls "his prime" during the cancelled 1944 Games. He also ran in the 1952 and 1956 Games.

Penn State Coach Chick Werner with 3 1952 Olympians, Bill Ashenfelter, Horace Ashenfelter and Curt Stone.

Here is a great 3-piece article about Curtis Stone detailing his Olympic Exploits, his PSU career and more, including some interesting tidbits about revolutionary "two-a-days and fartlek".

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Curt Stone's 1948 Spikes.

Coach Chick Werner's patented shoes. Photo from Phil Scott collection.

Chamois insides of Coach Werner's sockless shoes. Photo from Phil Scott collection.