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!

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.

Whine And Dine

 First up, the announcement by Clark Haley of the one-time rules change for the 20th Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tourney brought howls of protest from the "real" golfers among us.  The cacophony from the rabble rose to such levels at our reception, that I was worried there would be intervention by the authorities.

 

Announced as a 2 club maximum for each golfer in the foursome, it was soon amended to 3 clubs per golfer.  Still, chaos reigned.  Clark held firm at the 3 club maximum and not the "3 clubs and a putter" demand from the influential group of Fuller Brothers!

The anonymously sponsored open bar added to the general good cheer throughout the night.  The night concluded with a putting contest win by Mike McCahill.

The dawning of a new day led eventually to the start of the Coach Groves Golf Tourney.  While this was happening, an intrepid group continued the traditional climb of Mt. Nittany (started by Spouse the Better) followed by a trip to the Creamery.

Rain held off until well into the outing, and the torrential rains only lasted for one hole, followed by summer-like heat and humidity.  We always see a myriad of conditions on the Mountain View Country Club, although conditions were excellent overall.  The brief shower came over Skimont (or whatever it is called now), as if Bear Meadows knew that PSU distance runners were there and just wanted to say hello.

The 3-club maximum for each golfer led to strange shots throughout the day.  Try putting with a 5-iron! My "bag" consisted of a 5-iron, a pitching wedge and a putter; my 3 best clubs.  None of which I can still hit on a consistent basis.  I did, however, have a number of shots that counted and saved par a few times for our foursome.  The new rules added a fun element, and brought a new strategy and synergy to each foursome.  This format brought everyone closer together, which has always been one of Clark's stated goals.  

The longest drive was recorded by philanthropist Ken Brinker.  The longest putt of more than 22 feet was recorded by co-director Harry Smith (garnering the Smith family another year with the purloined Golden Putter).  Tim Brown placed his shot closest to the pin on the ninth hole.  The furthest traveled alum was Brian Boyer, who brought his family from Vienna Austria!

Overall, scores turned out better than anyone had predicted and there was a tie between 2 foursomes at one-under par for the victory.  The rules for ties were eventually thrown out and it was decided using a complex formula involving Elon Musk's new Twitter algorithm and the volume of whining from each group.

The foursome of Paul Mundy, Harry Smith, Gary Black and  Tom Shiffer were given the nod and will have their names engraved on the cherished "Cup".

The Awards Dinner was held at The Hyatt Place Hotel, and entailed a very good spread of grilled chicken, flank steak, baked potato bar and all kinds of other things.  The chocolate cake was especially enjoyed by Tourney Winner Paul Mundy. We had an inspirational speech from former XC and Track and
Field captain Che Arosemena, now attending the Army War College in Carlisle.

(Maybe) The Definitive Berwick Marathon List

Following Brian Boyer's submission of the all-time best performances by Nittany Lions at the Berwick Marathon "Run For The Diamonds", several astute group members pointed out some errors. Imagine that, this blog getting a few facts wrong!  There's a first time for everything.

One of those "slighted" by the post submitted an updated listing, citing animosity between his high school and Brian's suburban Reading High School.  Kinda sorta like a Hillbilly Feud or something.

So here is the new listing, which I again amended by highlighting those who took home a diamond.

 Here's a video of one of the battles in that high school feud featuring Brian Boyer and Harry Smith. They fought after the prettiest Lehigh Valley girls back in the day.

The Way, Way Back Machine Is Rusty

Sorry for the dearth of posting lately.  Work is a four-letter word that ends in K.

But it was 41 years ago that we first heard of the plane crash that decimated Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I remember exactly where I was when we got the word over the radio.  We were nearing the hotel in Williamsburg, VA on a Friday evening in the cross country van driven by Coach Groves.  I was seated in the next to last row between Ray Krombel and Kevin Kelly O'Brien.

Also in the van were Captain Bruce Baden (in the shotgun seat) and Captain John Ziegler.  Others included Jim Clelland, Frit Cooper, Mike Wyatt, Larry Mangan and his Freshman roommate Tom Rapp.  (Did I miss anyone?)  Of course I did!  Campbell Lovett, Dave Felice and Brian Boyer were there too!  Bob Snyder was injured.  (no wonder the van was uncomfortable. 14 of us was too many!)

We were on our way to a meet with Willam and Mary and Georgetown on the grounds of the insane asylum next to the campus.  Coach Groves told us a few stories of escapes from the place. Nice to know when you were alone in the woods during the race.

Our warm-up that day was to run the entire 10K course.  Then the race.  And then the warm-down turned out to be the entire 10K course!  I actually fainted during the warm-down and, as always, the only person who noticed was Mike Wyatt, my guardian angel those first 2 years. I think we won the meet, but I hope others chime in with more.

Incidentally, I became a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd that day when I learned they named the group after their mean gym teacher, Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School.  hee hee hee

American Lions in Österreich Essen ein türkisches Mittagessen.

 Google Translate

Gary und Myrna Schwartz halten während ihrer Rhein-Donau-Kreuzfahrt bei Wien zum Mittagessen. Schöne Zeit - es war schön, meinen ehemaligen PSU-Assistenztrainer zu sehen.

Türkisches Restaurant am Donaukanal. Wie ich allen in Amerika auf meinem Urlaub gesagt habe ... immer froh, Gastgeber zu sein. Willkommen in Wien.   -Offizieller Physiker Brian Boyer.

Far Away, But Close To All Of Us

Our Official Physicist Brian Boyer, originally thought he would be with us again this weekend, possibly earning his third golf title. And he may be the only person I would be comfortable calling a worse golfer than I. But he has 2 titles and I have only 1, despite being in every single tourney so far!

Although Brian can't be with us this weekend, he still brings the noise from far away, exotic Austria.



Brian represented the IAEA quite well at a recent competition wearing his Alumni Singlet! 

Official Physicist Vies For Third Title!

Our Official Physicist Brian Boyer will travel to the States for a chance at a third Coach Groves Golf Tourney Championship.  He will come by way of Idaho from Vienna, Austria.  Your excuses are probably not going to be accepted, so you better sign up NOW!

2015

2009

One Person options:

Entire Package $205.00 USD    Friday and Saturday $135.00 USD    Friday Reception $45.00 USD    Saturday Reception $105.00 USD    Golf and Saturday Reception Dinner $155.00 USD

For additional family members, add up permutations in post and use snail mail to:
 Harry Smith
            508 Washington Avenue
            Elyria, OH  44035

RIP Stephen Hawking

News has filtered out that Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. It is quite a miracle that he survived as long as he did. A testament to those who looked after him.  Quite a life, indeed.

Stephen was our original Official Physicist on the blog. (Everyone should have an Official Physicist, after all.)  He has been supplanted by Nuclear Engineer Brian Boyer following his golfing with us AND WINNING TWICE! (A lesson to other non-golfers out there.)  We also have Ron Moore, Erwin Shroedinger Endowed Chair For Advanced Physics.

Stephen Hawking on The Simpsons:



Stephen Hawking introducing the Big Bang Theory panel at Comic Con:

Still Strong After All These Years: Brian Boyer Joins 800U!

58 to be exact!  Our Official Physicist participated in the UN Interagency Games in Vienna last weekend.  He ran an 800M leg in a relay and came in 2nd in his age group in the 10K. (Cas Loxsom and Brannon Kidder need to be informed!)  I wonder if Brian is thinking of lacing up his spikes at Ken Cooper's Alumni Mile on 9:00AM Friday morning at the State College High School Track?

And see the update to the dinner schedule for Saturday night!

This Gem Brings Me Both Joy And Shame

Our superb William and Mary Connection and current coach of Gettysburg High School, Brian Mount somehow dug up a gem of an article from the Centre Daily Times from the days before color was invented, 1978.

This article includes me and gives me both joy and shame at the same time.  As most of you know, I am not afraid to point out my poor performances whenever I can, but this one probably can't even be called one of them!  This was during my "great groin pull" (now known in medical circles as a high ankle sprain, I believe?) of 1978 from a stupid choice of fencing as a Phys ed class.  (I did end up taking second place in the class tournament with a superb 3-phase parry and thrust to win my Semi-Final and earn an "A" in the class. Can't remember the world renowned fencing coach who ran the class, but he said it was a great showing that last day.  So I got that going for me anyway.)

Joys:

• The mentions of great friends Ted Lyon, Jim Clelland, Kevin Kelly O'Brien, Pete Bortolotti, Brian Boyer, Gary Black and Tim Backenstose. Both Glenn Chumley and Mark Stephenson were friends, but I did not know them as well as the others.
• Only the second race that I can confirm beating Gary Black.
• The mention of my daughter's namesake and great friend Martha White (Collins) and Nittany Lion great Kathy Mills (Parker).

Shame:

• Again losing out to Kelly, Jim, and even Ted.  I swear I beat them some of the time, but no one ever produces evidence of those times!   hee hee hee
• Placing right behind Glenn Chumley, An HALF-MILER!!!  Glenn was famous for running a 1:53 half on Wednesday at practice and then 1:55 for the meet on Saturday. (hee hee hee)  That, AND making the front page of the Collegian by streaking during a snow storm.  Coach could never prove it was him because the photo was from behind, but we all knew just by his running style.  One time years later, I saw him ahead of me jogging in Fairmount Park.  I caught up with him and it was certainly him.  I recognized him by his distinctive running style even after a few years.  Someone out there will comment on just what this was.  I can't seem to place it in words right now.  Anyway, Glenn, I tip my hat to you for beating me in an XC race.

Our Official Physicist* Moved 7,000 Miles Away, But He Still Can't Shake Us!

Brian Boyer moved to Vienna, Austria to join the IAEA team several years ago. Yet he gets constant reminders of his Happy Valley roots by hiking the streets of his adopted town. And a hearty hello to Brian from me!

Yet another former Penn State XC teammate has his own street.   Tom Rapp 1981. Ironically O'Briengasse (Kevin Kelly O'Brien 1980) is a block away. Both in 21st District Vienna.  Zieglergasse (John Ziegler 1980) and Stemmerallee (Paul Stemmer 1977)  I knew of years ago.  Could be more.

 * Actually a nuclear engineer, but still smarter than us.

Our Highest Paid Intern Produces A Gem! (Diamonds Are A Lion's Best Friend)

 Updates are coming when my day job allows are here!  And new interns are coming out of the woodwork to volunteer to compile a Women's version!!!

Our Official Physicist Brian Boyer shames all the rest of you as he simultaneously keeps the world safe from nuclear proliferation, raises a family in a foreign land, continues to run at a high level AND produces a post for our humble blog that blows us all away!  He went through all the results of the Berwick Run for the Diamonds to highlight the best performances of Nittany Lions.  Those listed in the top 5 received diamonds!

He has earned the first ever Pierre de Coubertin Intern Bonus!  The funds will be transferred via an unmarked C-130 transport plane in the dead of night in small bills of Chinese Yuan and Cambodian Riels.

Penn State XC and Track Field and Alumni Berwick Run for the Diamonds All Time List

    Rank  Year/ Place   Name                                     Time:

1.      1980-2        Fredericks, Greg                    43:41

2.      1983-3        Snyder, Robert                       44:41

3.      1981-4        Black, Gary                            44:56

4.      1993-6        Wimmer, Mark                        45:18

5.      1980-8        Mangan, Larry                        45:28

6.      1979-6        Cooper, Jim                            45:42

7.      1993-9        Crescenzi, Michael                 45:46

8.      1985-6        Mackley, Paul                         45:54

9.      1984-11       Hudson, Robert                      46:13 

1          10.   1990-3        O'Reilly, Aidan                        46:16

1          11.   1979-11       Boyer, Brian                           46:31

1          12.   1977-12       Felice, Dave                           46:40

1          13.   1978-12       Clelland, James                      46:41

1          14.  1988 -9        McGarry, Rick                        46:44
            15.  1984-13       Haley, Clark                           46:59
            16.   1984-14      Smith, Harry                           47:07
             17.    1980-20      Kvashay, Bill                          47:12

1          18.   1991-11       Radzwich, Robert                   47:18

1          19.   1949-1        Stone, Curtis                          47:19

1          20.   1949-2        Ashenfelter, Horace                47:22

1          21.   1977-16       Krombel, Ray                         47:27

2          22.   2013-5         Ryan Foster                           47:34
            23.  1983-16       Virbitsky, Tom                         47:47

2          24.   1992-11       Pritchard, Jon                         47:50

2          25.   1988-14       Singletary, Patrick                  47:57

2          26.   1977-19       Backentose, Tim                    47:59

2          27.   1978-22       O'Brien, Kelly                         48:04
            28.  1981-17       Haywood, Mark                      48:09

2          29.   1992-15       Cooper, Ken                           48:14

2         

Yellow means PSU student at the time of the run.

Herm Goffberg ran in Berwick but was not timed but had to be over 49 min…as only the first three had times that year.

NOTE:

FLYING FINNS  (Olympic champions)

1916-1      Kolehmainen, Hannes                49:22

1921-1      Ritola, Ville Willie      49:24

Would not be Flying Lions (Nittany that is)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTE This Groves character….1951

1       Ross, Browning         46:40

2       Lillikas, Valdu        47:00

3       Jones, Selwyn          48:58

4       Alymer, Ed             49:00

5       Kelley, Johnny         49:34

6       Dunnett, Keith         49:54

7       DiComandra, John       49:57

8       Mitchell, Don          50:33

9             Groves, Harry (21)               50:49

In 1979 this guy ran….at age 49

102        Groves, Harry                      54:08

Throwback Thursday: In Rio With Our Phavorite Physicists!

I have never been to Rio like Brian Boyer, Richard Feynman and Phil Passen. And the Track and Field starts tomorrow! But in the meantime, this is a post from several years ago to whet your whistle.

Happy Thanksgiving.  I'm particularly thankful for the possibility of a good 12:30 game this year, and of course, another wrist band submission from our very own traveling physicist, Brian Boyer.  Here he channels my hero, Richard Feynman at a Rio Beach. That's Richard juggling at the Copacabana Beach in the 50's.

Update from Brian Boyer: 

I met a guy from Brazil on that trip who I found out later studied under Feynmann during his Samba sabbatical. Also got sick back in US after I swam every day at Copacabana in what I now know was human poop mix.

And here's this year's version of the turducken, this time for dessert.  I present the Cherpumple, a cherry pie, an apple pie and a pumpkin pie all baked into individual cakes and then put together into one huge 21-pound decadent lump. Hell, skip the turkey, this might require a little room.

Coach Groves Gets A Visit From Our Official Physicist*

*Nuclear Engineer!

Brian Boyer braved the vagaries of airports on both sides of the Pond and came back to his hometown for his 40th HS Reunion.  Which is great, but I think he picked the wrong Reunion!

Anyway, he had the opportunity to visit Coach Groves and show off his version of our Wrist Band on a Steam locomotive in Vienna.  Still waiting on those donations to make next year's version!

Wrist bands linking our group across generations!

Brian Boyer and Coach Groves reminisce.

It's Distance Night At Penn Relays!

I've made quite a few, but will miss this one.  Kelly O'Brien and Brian Boyer will be there.  If you are also, make sure to find them and get a picture for the blog!

And here's a pic of Paavo Nurmi setting the world record in the 2 Mile at Penn in 1929 with his 9:15.4!  (14:29 3 Mile victory the night before.)

Thanks to the world's greatest Track Historian for allowing me to swipe all of this stuff.  Mike Fanelli is the greatest!