The King Is Dethroned Again

But a Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golf) Big-Wig did make it to the podium this year.
Ricardo Hall won the overall title and the accolades from 207 players.  Our very own Larry Mangan was third overall and represented the Officers of the Group well.  Joe Clinton also snuck into the top 10.  Kay Warfel also performed well in 12th place.  And Mark Hawkins can take solace in the knowledge that he was able to outperform all but 1 Animal!

Thank you. Thank you, very much.

In the all important Animal division, Spott Moskowitz was again dragged down from behind by Thomas Roth Bernard.  He takes the second place with dignity and aplomb.  He almost had enough points built up to make the Final game meaningless.

Overall Top 25:

1	Dynamite, Black	148
2	Wingo, Trey	138
3	Mangan, Larry	132
4	Pritchard, Simon	129
5	Hoover, Douglas	128
6	Crescenzi, Noah	128
7	Clinton, Joe	128
8	Oliver, Ryan	124
9	Brothers, Ellie	123
10	Riter, Tony	121
11	Oliver, Emily	117
12	Warfel, Kay	117
13	Cole, Connor	115
14	Oliver, Abby	114
15	Novak, Jay	113
16	Roth, Thomas Bernard	113
17	Oliver, Steve	111
18	Hawkins, Mark	110
19	Morse, Hallie	107
20	Cole, Braden	105
21	Moskowitz, Spott	104
22	McCarthy, Dennis	103
23	Pritchard, Jonathan	103
24	Haushalter, David	102
25	Patrick, Dan	101

Our Rusty Boot Award Is Now A Springboard To National Recognition!

Last year's recipient of the Rusty Boot, the highest honor our group can bestow on anyone, has won another award at the USTFCCCA Convention!

Blog devotee Joe Clinton alerted me to this item. (Thanks, Joe.)  Gary Schwartz was honored with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award at the convention.  This represents individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the Association and to the sports of cross country and track & field.

I can't think of a finer person to receive this award.

(Gary) Schwartz coached for 34 years, of which included 21 years as a head coach and one award-winning season (He was named 1983 NCAA Division I National Outdoor Coach of the Year). He guided the women’s programs at Penn State and Tennessee, as well as both the men’s and women’s programs at Kansas.

Later on in his career, Schwartz spent time as an athletic administrator at Arkansas and was the technical director of the 2009 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Coach Gary Schwartz.

My favorite photo of Joe Clinton, right.

A Podcast In Substitution For The One I Was Supposed To Do

Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golfer Joe Clinton graciously sent me the recent podcast with our very own Tyler McCandless discussing his views on running.  since I was scheduled to do a podcast with him recently, this one will substitute for mine until I can get around to it.  Now that my Karma has returned despite all the taxing circumstances in my life, I'm just waiting for my Mojo to return to full force.

Tyler McCandless has more mentions on this site than just about anyone, including Coach Groves, for many reasons.

• He is running at an elite level.
• He is an unapologetic backer of all that is Penn State.
• He is nearing a PSU Doctorate in Meteorology.
• He is involved in many charities and gives back more than anyone I know.
• He wears a PSU headband in every race.
• He has coached high school runners while doing all of this.
• He grew up near where I spent a substantial portion of my youth. (I'm just wondering if he ever has been to the Daisy Dairy Bar in Wind Gap?)

Runner Academy Podcast With Tyler McCandless

And here's the original Karma Chameleon with Boy George from 1983, the better version by far. I have always loved that song:

But I admire the fortitude of Culture Club and their recent live version back in the UK With Dancers!:

And a return of Mojo is right around the corner for Our Group.  Better than anything Boy George could ever hope for!

An Offer You Can't Refuse

Entry fees are starting to trickle in to The Keeper of the Cup, Harry Smith, (soon to be inducted into the Hall of Honor!) for the Ninth Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament and Reunion. Remember, the early-bird special only lasts until 3/31/10. Thereafter, the full fee will be strictly enforced.

The fee schedule has been simplified this year in order to not confuse the Corleone and Tartaglia families like last year:

1. Early-bird entries (Clark reminds Joe Clinton to not eat the worm!) will be $125 for the Golf and lunch Saturday prior to the golf.
2. After 3/31/10, the fee will be $150 for the package.
3. Don Corleone offers a discount for Students and those who must fly in for the festivities of $100! He specifies that kissing his ring for the great deal is optional.
4. Those not golfing with us can still participate in everything else for a fee of $25 prior to 3/31/10 and $30 after. Any help with the golfing activities, photography, errands and such are greatly appreciated.
   
5. The Awards Dinner at Damon's Grill will include an additional fee, but will be well worth the price as we will honor Coach Groves' 80th Birthday, among other announcements. There will be cake!

Fill out the entry form by clicking on Coach's picture at the right-hand top of the web site so we have an accurate count of those coming. The count will be more important than ever this year. Any excess monies are donated to PSU Track Scholarships, Friends of PSU Track, and to provide better festivities for the group next year. Friends, family and anyone just interested in PSU Track are encouraged to attend. We are an open and friendly group. We guarantee a good time.

Entries go to: Harry Smith, Keeper of the Cup, 7793 Hudson Park Dr., Hudson OH 44236.

Another Brick in "The Wall"

For 64 of the last 65 years, Coach Groves has appeared at the wall along the first curve of the Penn track in Franklin Field in mid-April. Here he is in the early 80's with PSU Track Alumni Golfer Ed Roskiewicz. Ed is always smiling, but Coach probably had just said something "provocative". Joe Clinton obviously missed the comment or something! Some have speculated that one day Coach's ashes will be spread there, but I am of the opinion that:

1. Coach will outlive all of us, (and if I'm wrong),
2. He will be non-flammable.