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!
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
A Hiccup For 800U
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Joe Kovacs Gets Bronze At World Championships
Friday, August 18, 2023
An Oldie But A Goodie
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
I Am So Bad At Golf That I Sabotaged 3 Good Golfers!
Sunday, August 13, 2023
15 Disparate Musings About The 2023 Track And Field Alumni Reunion
- Apologies go out to my fabulous foursome this year. Three of the finest friends and long-term attendees whom I both admire and respect. I did nothing but bitch and moan the whole golf round, while contributing nothing but missed putts and bad vibes. I am truly sorry.
- Talked Mike Shine into golfing for the first time. I believe he enjoyed himself and had 4 shots that counted.
- The dinner was excellent again this year. Ribs, BBQ chicken breast, fusili Mac and cheese, garlic green beans and Paul Mundy Memorial triple chocolate cake.
- Got to speak with Ryan Foster and his father. Two delightful people. I think I convinced Ryan to get a third cat. The interactions and interesting behavioral changes that occur with the addition of each new cat are worthwhile. I forgot to inform him that the equation for the proper number of litter boxes is (# of cats + 1).
- The Hyatt Hotel is an excellent venue. The expense is worth it.
- Clark and Harry are great at what they have done to keep this independent movement going. Check how many other schools are doing as much. It isn't many. And if they attempt to add me to those who deserve praise, only believe 10% of it.
- Finally got to meet Joe Head, the first Nittany Lion to run in the Olympic Trials Marathon. He was a full-fledged member of our group before it was founded.
- The Coach's Remembrance was just right. I especially liked Ken Cooper's, Ryan Foster's and Artie Gilkes' presentations.
- I live streamed the ceremony on our Facebook (Meta) page. Eight people watched live, but it has already been viewed more than
100 200300 times since. I actually hurt my back and tired my arms holding the phone up for 2.5 hours. Too stupid to think of a stand... - Coach Schwartz was my assistant coach for XC in 1977.I immediately knew he was the ying to Coach Groves yang at our first meeting. Total and complete respect.
- This weekend reinforced my opinion that members of our group are the most interesting, the most accomplished and the most intelligent people I have ever known.
- Coach Gondak is an excellent inheritor of the position once held by Coach Groves. I first met him at one of our early Friday receptions where I brought the potato chips and Clark Haley was truly the Keeper of the Beer in the small meeting room at the Hampton Inn.
- Ken Worthen is apparently the finest golfer in our tournament history. I heard many people telling me his play was outstanding from hole 1 to hole 18. I did not get to speak with him, but I want to thank him for dragging Don Ziter to his third tournament championship! Harry Smith also.
- The monies we collect for the weekend may seem steep to some, but that is never the case. In low turnout years we break even with Officers often adding significant funds behind the scene. In high attendance years we do have a surplus, which is given in its entirety to the Penn State Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country teams. (Not the Coach Groves Scholarship Fund). In these surplus years, the funds are often given to an individual employed by a company that matches charitable contributions. This is not done to earn Nittany Lion points for someone to get better parking or tickets for football games etc. The only funds ever mismanaged by our group was the $4.24 lunch at Wendy's I was once allowed by a donation from Paul Mundy made to our blog. BTW the Mountain View Golf Club has changed the hole where Paul hit the tractor trailer on 322. I miss those days.
- Got to speak with Brie Berkowitz for an hour on Friday. I have known Brie since she was a young lady. Her mom was our kids' school nurse and a running partner of my wife. Her dad was a XC coach in our county. They have already endeared themselves in the PSTAFXC community, and Brie is an outstanding PV coach for the Lions. Truly a small world!
- More to come...
Friday, August 11, 2023
A Large And Robust Reception
Lifestream Of Coach's Celebration
Back In State College
Thursday, August 10, 2023
In Every Life...
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Just Days Away
Finally found my clubs in the garage following a 3 week search. I guess some opossums used it as a nest and birthing area last year. Or maybe a skunk?
Anyway, I'm bringing them up to State College for the 21st Annual Penn State Track and Field Alumni Reunion and Coach Groves Golf Tourney. There will be a bump in our usual numbers, and many extra friends will be at the totally free and open Coach's Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday. Let's have a great time and support the current program with mirth and aplomb.
Sunday, July 30, 2023
Still Time To Join In The Fun
Monday, July 24, 2023
A Long Time Coming: A Milestone Right Before Our Reunion
Today, the Blog With It All surpassed 1,000,000 visits. Never thought I would author something that would sustain as long as 15 years of more than 180 views per day! I have had a little help over the years, but never what I had hoped.
Good things must end, and the end of Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golf) is coming some time soon. Not just yet, but with the desertion of Interns, I can't keep pace any more, much like I couldn't keep pace with the likes of Tom Rapp, John Ziegler, Bruce Baden, Mike Wyatt, Bob Snyder, Alan Scharsu and many others back in the day.
Hope to see some of you at the August 2023 Reunion. Thanks to all.
The Stats:
5,554 days
(15 years, 2 months, 15 days)
3,456 posts
1,000,000 Views
180 Views/day
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Time Is Running Out
Finally, A Pay Pal Option For the RĂ©union and Golf Tournament August 11, 12 2023!
We will honor Coach Groves and Coach Schwartz on Saturday at the Ashenfelter Track.
Please consult the myriad of choices from Clark's email.... The link for Pay Pal leads to the "donation" page for our Group in my name. All responses and monies will be sent to Harry Smith and Clark Haley directly. Click this link for all the info:
Please
add the suggested amount to the total to defray my costs for the Pay
Pal option. The funds will come to me and I will alert Clark and Harry
of your announcement of attendance!
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Finally, A Pay Pal Option For the RĂ©union and Golf Tournament August 11, 12 2023!
We will honor Coach Groves and Coach Schwartz on Saturday at the Ashenfelter Track.
Please consult the myriad of choices from Clark's email....
Please add the suggested amount to the total to defray my costs for the Pay Pal option. The funds will come to me and I will alert Clark and Harry of your announcement of attendance!
Saturday, July 8, 2023
800U Gains Speed, But Don't Forget The Others!
Isaiah Harris and Rachel Gearing made appearances in the 800M Semis at the USATF Championships in Eugene yesterday. Rachel was there following her School Record 2:01.24 in the Prelim Round. And this continues Isaiah's streak of never failing to make the Finals in the 800M since his Freshman season at PSU.
But there are plenty of others in the mix at Tracktown:
- Danae Rivers, former 800M School Record Holder ran 2:03.90
- Terrance Laird in the 100M 8th in 10.18, upcoming in 200M
- Evan Dorenkamp in the 1500M 26th in 3:44.31
- Tyler Merkley in the Hammer
- Morgan Shigo in the Hammer
- Michael Shuey in the Javelin
- Rachel Fatherly in the Shot Put
- Mallory Kauffman in the Shot Put
- Darrell Hill in the Shot Put
- Joe Kovacs in the Shot Put
Thursday, July 6, 2023
800U Rolls On
Incoming Sophomore Handal Roban kept his season going as he cruised to victory in the 800M at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
The Games were in San Salvidor in El Salvidor, Handal is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His PR of 1:45.93 was another punctuation to this stellar Freshman campaign.
Friday, June 30, 2023
Harry Smith Retired To The Caddyshack
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
A Reminder Of The Coming Super Collosal Reunion
Sunday, June 25, 2023
A Real Alumni Singlet Spotted In New York
A few Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golfers) were featured at the USATF NY Grand Prix.
- Morgan Shigo was 7th in the Hammer 231' 7"
- Michael Shuey was 6th in the Javelin 236' 6"
- Darrell Hill was 3rd in the Shot Put 70' 2.25"
- Isaiah Harris was 2nd in the 800M 1:45.11
And Darrell came through with his real Alumni Singlet in the action!!! Thanks, Darrell.
Saturday, June 10, 2023
The "Alumni-Singlet" Is Always Appreciated
3 First team All-Americans for the Nittany Lion Men in 2023!
- Tyler Merkley in the Hammer Throw. 7th with 237' 6"
- Evan Dorenkamp in the 1500M. 8th in 3:44.2 (3:40.34 in Semi-Final)
- Handal Roban in the 800M 3rd in 1:45.95
And again, the Nittany Lions chose the "Alumni-Singlet like" tops for the events on the Final Day! This is always great and appreciated by us old-timers. The singlets were originally invented by Dennis Pollow and have taken off in a big way.
Quick Poll: Do the Alumni Singlets improve the performance of wearers?
- Yes, of course they do.
- No, are you crazy?
Sunday, April 23, 2023
It's Penn Relays Week! And Happy Birthday Coach Groves
Nothing better than the week of Penn Relays. I was lucky enough to enjoy some fine years in the stands at the greatest Track and Field Carnival of them all. And it's also Coach Groves' birthday this week.
Penn State has two fine middle distance contingents, and some very good Field eventers. Could prove interesting.
Anyone able to be there wish to send us a few pics, stories or swag??? My interns are standing by.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
A Fine Man
Our August 12th (10:00am) Reunion Remembrance Ceremony will offer 2 one-hour tributes to great coaches we have lost from our Universe. One hour will be dedicated to Coach Harry Groves and now with the passing of Coach Gary Schwartz yesterday, the second hour will honor Penn State's former Men's Assistant Coach and Women's Head Coach.
I had the privilege to talk with both of these men about the other several years ago, and the respect was mutual and warm between them. They shared many qualities and differed in a myriad of ways.
The Remembrance Ceremony is being coordinated by Nittany Lion greats Greg Fredericks and Vivian Riddick. My hope is for a full house at the Indoor Track Facility.
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Another Award For 800U!
As the final qualifier for the NCAA Indoor Championship 800M Final, Handal Roban ran a very nice race, finishing in 4th place. With the disqualification of the lead runner because of his severe swerve into second lane, impeding the surging Texas runner, he ends up in 3rd place! 1:47.28 at altitude.
Ryan Foster, Handal Roban and Coach John Gondak |
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Thursday, March 9, 2023
A Major Award!
And I mean way more major than the Leg Lamp on A Christmas Story...
Our very own European Liaision, Brian Boyer is being awarded an 2023 Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award in State College next week. I take this opportunity to congratulate him for bringing this honor to our group.
Some things about Brian some of you might not know:
- He began his career in State College in 1976, earning degrees in 1980, 1985 and 1992.
- He is the only PSU Track Alumni Golfer that likes trains more than Dave Felice.
- He has won the Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament twice without knowing how to golf.
- His 5000M Indoor PR is better than mine. I am unaware of any other distances where this may apply.
- He is retiring in a few weeks from the IAEA. I'm pretty sure it's only because they have rules making 65 year-olds retire.
- He will be returning to State College is some capacity in the coming months.
- He is beloved by members of Penn State Track Alumni Golfers from 4 generations.
If you can check out the award ceremony next week, get some pics for my Interns here at the Blog With It All.
Brian with Coach Schwarz and his wife Myrna a few years ago in Vienna.Tuesday, February 21, 2023
A One And A Two...
PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) snagged one National Championship and a runner-up spot at the recent Indoor Championships out west.
Joe Kovacs won the Shot Put with a toss of 21.55M (70' 8.5")
Isaiah Harris placed second in the 800M with 1:46.42.
Rachel Fatherly placed 5th in the Shot Put with 17.47M (57' 3.75")
Morgan Shigo placed 8th in the Weight Throw with 22.30M (73' 2")
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Coach Schwarz Scholarship
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Chairman Of The Board
It has been a rough year for Disney. A 44% drop in market value and criticism of its current path have left the leaders in disarray. Visiting this past week, I noticed many signs of this perturbation. Actual stalled projects and notices of others being axed entirely. A few empty storefronts, and news of long term tenants announcing closure.
Stepping into this mix will be one of our own. Mark Parker, ex-CEO of Nike Inc. will become the new Chairman of Disney's Board. Let's wish him well in finding a CEO who will guide Disney in a direction for stability and sustainability. Goofy, Dopey, and the rest of the gang possibly in the mix for a new shoe contract?