A New Officer, A Look Back And Just A Peek Forward

We haven't had a new Officer installed in a little while and I came across this pic online...

This is Mercedes and Teddy Quinn's new dog, an adopted Jack Russell terrier (or as they will learn, terror!) named Bo (I think!).  Seeing as Teddy is our group's Director of Fun, Bo is now our Ambassador of Fun!  There is never a dull moment with a Jack.  I look forward to this year's head-to-head match-up of Bo and my Jack Spott in the basketball bracket fiasco!

The Fanelli family from Jenkintown, PA is as close as America comes to Track and Field royalty.  Mike brings us this great PSU tidbit from the last team championship for the Lions!

And coming soon will be more from the Fanellis AND one of our own Olympians when I reintroduce our 10 Questions feature (give or take a few!)

Jack Saint Clair Invitational 2015

  "To run well, you have to be a bull."

-Jack Saint Clair, about his course.

I traveled to my favorite city today to check out the refurbishment of the Belmont Plateau Cross Country courses at the Jack Saint Clair Invitational.

Jack was Penn State's team captain in 1950 when they traveled to Michigan State to upset the home team for the National Championship.  The team included Horace Ashenfelter's brothers William and Don, Robert Freebairn, Dudley Foster, William Gordon and our Long Driver himself, Al Porto!

Jack was the long-time coach of Cardinal Dougherty High School (1956-1968) and then Temple University (1967-1983).  He actually created the course at Belmont Plateau in 1963.  He passed away in 2007.

In 1963, Mr. St. Clair and coaches from Villanova University and what was then St. Joseph's College designed the five-mile college course at Belmont Plateau. It is still considered a course with everything a runner could want: steep challenging climbs, rapid descents, grass and dirt trails, and spectacular scenery, including the Philadelphia skyline.

Flagpole Hill. The flagpole is now on top of the mansion.

Signs are everywhere for all distances (except the 6K!)

On a clear day you can still see William Penn's statue atop City Hall.

The 1 Mile Mark just as you enter the woods.

Parachute Hill is much more overgrown than I remember!

Team captain 1950 NCAA Champion Nittany Lions.

Start Line is a permanent fixture with 2 large poles.

Detailed course maps are available.

 And here's the results of the 17 team 1950 NCAA XC Championships:  (PSU 53 pts., MSU 55 pts.)

Champions Reunite

The Banner Unfurling at the Horace Ashenfelter III Complex last week brought back a number of members from the great NCAA Championship teams from 1942, 1947 and 1950.  They include:

 Bob Parsons, ‘51
Robert Freebairn, ‘51
Howard Horne, ‘47
Gerry Karver, ‘48
Al Porto, ‘51
Bill Gordon., ‘51
Bob Rossler, ‘53

They all are cordially invited to the 10th Annual Harry Groves Golf Tourney in May.  

In wide ranging discussions between Coach Groves, Steve Shisler and Greg Fredericks, it was finally learned that Sunday runs were only an attempt by Coach Groves to restrict the team's late night Saturday shenanigans.  It may be the only failure of Coach Groves' career!  It was also learned that there were no Sunday runs in the 40's and 50's!  Coach Chick Werner wouldn't allow them.  Their long runs were on Mondays and consisted of 3 to 5 miles.  I may have to get back into the game, as apparently I run a long run every day!  (Thanks to Steve for the inside info.)