Thursday, June 23, 2016

We Have Lost Another Boy In Blue

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Jim Allahand.  Jim was a stalwart of the early years of Coach Groves' tenure at PSU.


In Memory
James Allahand - Bensalem HS Class Of 1969

James R. Allahand of Trevose passed away Sunday June 19, 2016. He was 64.
He was born in Philadelphia, and was a lifelong resident of Trevose.
Jim was a graduate of Bensalem High School and Penn State University. Jim was recognized as a premiere distance runner at both the high school and university levels.
He was employed as a Sports Specialist at Fort Dix and Maguire Air Force Base, where he managed their sports programs.
He enjoyed his family, especially his nieces and nephews.
Beloved son of the late Benjamin and Anna Allahand, he will be sadly missed by his siblings, Patricia Allahand, Robert Allahand (Lynn), John 'Jack' Allahand (Marilyn), and Edward Allahand (Margaret).
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation at 6 p.m. Monday, followed by his memorial service at 7 p.m. at Tomlinson Funeral Home, 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020. Interment will be held privately.
Contributions may be made in Jim's name to the Penn State University Cross Country Team online at www.psu.edu.Tomlinson Funeral Home, Bensalem
Jim graduated from PSU in 1973, but was still running competitively when I was just a skinny Freshman scrambling to make the team in the later 70s.  He won the 1979 Spiked Shoe XC Meet, and was still mixing it up with the team on the XC course even after my career was over!

Jim also had some unique American Records and great performances in his day.
  • The American Record in the Half Marathon 1979 (1:05:41)
  • An American Indoor Record in the 4 x Mile (with Greg Fredericks, Charlie Maguire, Bob Hillman)  (17:07.5)
  • A 4-time NCAA Championships competitor.
  • Still in the top-10 of PSU Steeplers  (8:51.84)
  • Former PIAA HS XC Champion and 2-Mile Champion.