Another Mile Post Along Memory Lane

Penn State Cross Country 1970!  Coach Groves had already had his film projector "borrowed" by Coach Paterno from the office next door, and never returned!  He related this story to me more than once, and I think it was one of the earliest occurances that cemented his non-love for the gridiron coach.

• Some of the athletes still look older than Coach Groves.
• Friend Steve Miller at his dorky best! (That's a compliment BTW).
• Murderers Row of Bruce McLanahan, Gary Gittings, Greg Fredericks and Bob Hillman in the second row.
• Youthful looking Jim Allahand and Charlie Maguire.
• Dick Geiger somehow looking smaller than usual!

Memory Lane: Part 2: Coach Groves And Greg Fredericks!

So, once Coach Groves settled in and began his second XC season at PSU, he finally had Greg Fredericks as a full-fledged runner and not just a "Freshman"!

My notes:

• Father Matt Chadwick OFM Conv. in the back row!
• Coach Groves still serious
• Greg Fredericks finally a full team member!
• Friend Steve Miller (back row) from the same high school as Dick Geiger (front row)!
• Jim Dixon, from a long line of State College Dixons.
• Jim Allahand and Bruce McLanahan  RIP (Dick Geiger relates that Ralph Kissel also recently passed away.)
  

We Just Lost A Former Middle Distance Star

Teammate Mark Haywood brings us the news of the passing of Bruce McLanahan in Camp Hill. Bruce was a middle distance star for Coach Groves in his early years.

"Bruce became a good friend of mine over the years. He lived two blocks away from me and we would often share walks around the neighborhood and talk about track, XC, and all things Penn State. He was one of Coach Groves’ runners too although he pre-dated us. Served as mayor of Camp Hill for a while and was very active in the community. Anyone who knew Bruce knew how quick he was with a smile, a laugh, or an amusing anecdote. He made your day better just being in it. This is a very sad time and a great loss for Camp Hill but I am grateful to have known Bruce as a good friend..."

ALUMNI OUTREACH SUCCESSFUL: PSU Track Alumni Rookie Schools 2 Former Champions:

The Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golf Outreach Program reached The West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill recently. Both Jeff Sanden, '82 and Mark Haywood, '81 were pleased to see us and provided unparalleled courtesy and munificence. After a pleasant lunch, the nine holes breezed by in a flash. In the end my "D" golfer status shone through despite a par on the initial hole.* Gary hung in tough, but the new hips are still not allowing the 300 yard drives of the past. Jeff easily eclipsed us both, despite constantly hitting further left than Barack Obama's rhetoric**. Jeff is looking forward to the Coach Groves Memorial and the reunion with Alumni luminaries like Rob Whiteside and Don and Lynne Ziter. Mark couldn't golf with us this time, but is interested in putting at the tourney next Spring (pending approval of Clark and Leggett).

Before arriving at the Country Club we attempted to visit Chris Herr at his palatial estate nearby. However, we were rebuffed by the security forces and the hounds.*** Chris, we want you to come back. Drop us a line. Also living nearby was Coach Groves' mile-standout in the late 60's, Bruce McLanahan, the former mayor of Camp Hill! (I bounced many a check at McLanahan's in the late 70's; hope he's not related!)

YOU may be next for an Alumni Outreach unless you sign up now! Visit the message board and tell me who to visit next.

*54 for 9 holes (never broke 100 for 18 holes, and apparently not going to anytime soon)

**Arbitrary political references not necessarily endorsed by Group Officers. (Although I'm sure there will be more coming.)

***It turns out we were at his neighbors house, a Mr. Montgomery Burns, who heads the nearby Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Sorry for the confusion. (Smithers, release the hounds!)