Stolen From The 90s Guys

The alums from the 90s started their own internetty thingie years ago to keep in touch.  They still use it today to "socially distance" and yet still stay close.

Many of them are also members of our group.  I hope they don't mind spreading the latest from their world onto the stage of our blog!

Here's video from what they consider "long ago", (1994) featuring Bob Hamer and Che Arosemena.  That really makes me feel old...

Thanks to Mark Wimmer and Harry Stants.

I Would Never Hurt This Dog Even If You Don't Donate To Coach Groves' Scholarship Fund!!

This was the second most popular cover for National Lampoon back in the day when humor had broader leeway than we have today.  Imagine the uproar if a theatre tried to show Blazing Saddles today!

Provided byCoolFundraisingIdeas.net

But please consider donating to the cause to fully fund a full-tuition scholarship in Coach Groves' name for a future PSU Trackster.  And don't forget to check with your employer about whether they will match your efforts! Thanks to Mark Wimmer for pointing this out.

Also for everyone to note, your donation can be used as your yearly Nittany Lion Club donation, so you can earn NLC points with your pledge.  The GIXGH code can be used to allocate your NLC donation to the Groves Scholarship.  Be sure to see if your company will match your donation as that is an easy way to double the amount the scholarship receives - Mark Wimmer.

Please send donations made payable to: Penn State University, noting the Harry Groves Track/XC Scholarship (GIXGH) in the memo portion of your check, at 147 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802. If you have any questions, please call Kirk Diehl of the Varsity S Club at 814-867-2202.

 If you would like to give online, you may do so at: https://secure.ddar.psu.edu/s/1218/nlclub/nlclub.aspx?sid=1218&gid=1&pgid=826&cid=3234&dids=633&bledit=1 and then type in GIXGH in the fund area below the amount you select.
Thank you

Let's Admit It, Coach Groves Was Never A Fashion Icon

From our future Blog Official Physicist, here's a couple of pics from the NCAA XC Championships from 25 years ago.  It introduces a few new names to our Universe and demonstrates that Coach Groves did not devote much time in thoughts of being "dressed for success"!  Penn State finished 10th in the Mens race and the Women were 13th.

Ron Moore and Coach Groves.

Phil Mellott, Andy Scott, Ron Moore, Rob Gough, Aidan O'Reilly, Coach Groves, Mark Wimmer, Austin Morrow.

As always, anyone getting in touch with any of these guys, be sure to invite them to our Reunion and Golf Tourney in May.  This year we will be there in conjunction with the Big Ten Championships!!!

More Atlantic Ten Goodness

The Atlantic Ten Conference was an on-again, off-again conference for Penn State Cross Country. It began as the Eastern 8 Conference in 1975 with the original members of Villanova, Duquesne, Penn State, West Virginia, George Washington, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers. Cross Country started in 1978 and Penn State did not participate in some of those years (1979-1981).  But we dominated the conference whenever we were part of it. (1978, 1982-1990)

Championships:

• 1978        28 points.
• 1982        30 points.
• 1986        27 points.
• 1987        21 points.
• 1988        25 points.
• 1989        19 points.
• 1990        19 points.

Individual Champions:

• 1982     Jeff Adkins
• 1986     Eric Carter*
• 1987     Eric Carter
• 1988     Brian Laird
• 1989     Jeff Novak/Doug Walter

• 1990     Mark Wimmer  

* Number 3 on the list of Top 20 Conference Performances, 23:51 at Van Cortlandt Park.

We Really Are Teammates Regardless Whether We Ever Even Ran Or Jumped Or Threw Together!

I recently had a wonderful conversation with Bob Radzwich which warmed my heart more than any has for quite a while.  I know Bob through our group and his attendance at our events for a number of years. He is the sole reason I purchase "Death By Chocalate" Ice Cream whenever I'm in State College. (We WILL talk more about actually golfing with us next time!)

Inevitably, the conversation accentuated what I have been telling all of you for quite some time.  Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golfers) are the most interesting, the most accomplished and the smartest people I have ever met.

Turns out that Bob has the same goals as Clark Haley's original vision that created our rag-tag conglomeration of what I affectionately call "Idiots".  To be one of our Idiots means you are very proud of Penn State and honor Coach Groves and The Program in your every-day life.

Well, Bob also is very passionate about funding the Coach Groves Scholarship Endowment.  His idea is to help fund the Scholarship at the same time you enroll or renew your Nittany Lion Club membership!
And it turns out that it is possible.

From Bob and his "90's Friends":

I’m looking for 100 Alums to give $100 and the major goal is 100 Alums to give $1000 to Groves scholarship.
Thanks,
Bob Radzwich

For those of you who are part of the Nittany Lion Club, I have confirmed you can apply your donation to the Groves Scholarship towards your yearly renewal.  This way you can both designate your donation to the Groves Scholarship and get all the points and benefits of your donation towards your NLC standing.  Do it before 1 Nov and get 3 extra NLC points for early renewal.  Plus if giving $110 more than you gave last year, will also get another NLC bonus.  More $ for Groves Scholarship and more points towards your NLC points total.

The process to donate online:

1] Log into your NLC account

2] Click on Donate or Renew link

3] In the Donation Fund Designation click on the "OTHER 2016 Athletic Donations"

4] Click add to Cart

5] Click Checkout 

6] A survey window will pop up.  Need to enter "Harry Groves Scholarship - Track and Field" into the last box labeled: If you choose other as a donation designation, specify where your gift should be allocated (i.e. sport, scholarship, capital project). :

7] Fill in payment info and submit

If you have any problems you can call Christy at the NLC at the number listed below and she can walk you through it to ensure you get your points and the Groves Scholarship gets your donation allocated to it properly -

Mark Wimmer

And be sure to spread this post around to everyone you know.  Let's finish funding the Endowment once and for all, so we can get to the next task of funding a real outdoor track and stadium and endowing the entire Track Program for posterity!

Alumni Singlet Makes Appearance at "Reach the Beach"

The team of mostly PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) that came in second at the New Hampshire Reach the Beach 200 Mile Relay were really a remarkable group.  The only team ahead of them were many years their junior. 

Soon-to-be Official Group Physicist Ron Moore graciously sent us some pics but was nursing a hamstring injury and acted as a driver of one of the two vans needed for the expedition.  Reading up on this event, I'm stunned at the logistics and attention to detail that's required.  It's a testament to the education provided by PSU that all of this was handled with such professionalism..The rest of the rabble of our group tip our hats to each and every one of you involved in this event.

Here's Mark Wimmer finishing his final leg with the Alumni Singlet leading the way.

Captain Wimmer with his Alumni Singlet!

Mark Wimmer, Jake Bartholomy, Matt Hutzelman, Harry Stants, Ken Cooper, and Ron Moore.

The start in the mountains of New Hampshire.

The celebration on the beach.

Storming the Beach... and Broad Street

The Mine Falls Milers.

A team of mostly PSU Track Alumni Masters (Super Masters they are called because all of them are over 40!) runners stormed the Beach in New Hampshire yesterday, coming in 2nd out of 468 teams and dominating their Division by 6 hours!  (Only the much younger Alumni crew from St. Francis XC were able to top them.)

      SFCMXC             1  2-Men Open   20:14:06
      Mine Falls Milers  2  4-Men Super  20:38:00

Among them are Ron Moore, (future Group Official Physicist), Jake Bartholomy, Mark Wimmer and Ken Cooper.

And today was the Philadelphia Half Marathon with at least one speedy member of our Group ready for the perfect weather.

 

Matt Groves finished in 1:16:25!  Not bad for a 800 M man!

Alumni Excel

Future (?) Official Group Co-Physicist Ron Moore helped his team to a victory in the Run to the Coast Relay in New Hampshire today.  He was joined by PSU Track Alum (Golfers) Mark Wimmer and Mike Castillo.  Ron had several splits near the 10 MPH mark!  For help with converting that, consult your local Physicist, they know all the formulas!

In addition, PSU Track Alumni Reunion attendee Bob "Scrap Heap" Osterhoudt fared quite well in his season end Championships, placing first in the 80 M Hurdles competitions in Lisle, Illinois and St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.  Bob competes in the 70-75 yo category.  His times were 14.83 and 14.46.  He only regrets the fact that he failed to get his Alumni Singlet in time for the competitions.  Something tells me he'll have plenty of chances to spread the word of the largest and most active Track Alumni Group in the World!

Congrats to Shavon Greaves who was hired as Assistant Coach at Wagner College, where she will also pursue her Graduate Degree.  Congrats!