Coach Groves Memorial Golf 2025 Tourney Results

Winning "Four"some:  Brian Laird (89), Mike Shine (75), Clark Haley (85)

Longest Drive:  Mike Shine (75)

Longest Putt:  Ryan Foster (15)

Closest to the Pin: Bob Gabel (80)

And let's thank Paul Mundy for the wonderful commemorative golf balls!

15 Disparate Musings About The 2023 Track And Field Alumni Reunion

1. Apologies go out to my fabulous foursome this year. Three of the finest friends and long-term attendees whom I both admire and respect. I did nothing but bitch and moan the whole golf round, while contributing nothing but missed putts and bad vibes. I am truly sorry.
2. Talked Mike Shine into golfing for the first time. I believe he enjoyed himself and had 4 shots that counted.
3. The dinner was excellent again this year. Ribs, BBQ chicken breast, fusili Mac and cheese, garlic green beans and Paul Mundy Memorial triple chocolate cake.
4. Got to speak with Ryan Foster and his father. Two delightful people. I think I convinced Ryan to get a third cat. The interactions and interesting behavioral changes that occur with the addition of each new cat are worthwhile. I forgot to inform him that the equation for the proper number of litter boxes is (# of cats + 1).
5. The Hyatt Hotel is an excellent venue. The expense is worth it.
6. Clark and Harry are great at what they have done to keep this independent movement going. Check how many other schools are doing as much. It isn't many. And if they attempt to add me to those who deserve praise, only believe 10% of it.
7. Finally got to meet Joe Head, the first Nittany Lion to run in the Olympic Trials Marathon. He was a full-fledged member of our group before it was founded.
8. The Coach's Remembrance was just right. I especially liked Ken Cooper's, Ryan Foster's and Artie Gilkes' presentations.
9. I live streamed the ceremony on our Facebook (Meta) page. Eight people watched live, but it has already been viewed more than 100  200  300 times since.  I actually hurt my back and tired my arms holding the phone up for 2.5 hours. Too stupid to think of a stand...
10. Coach Schwartz was my assistant coach for XC in 1977.I immediately knew he was the ying to Coach Groves yang at our first meeting. Total and complete respect.
11. This weekend reinforced my opinion that members of our group are the most interesting, the most accomplished and the most intelligent people I have ever known.
12. Coach Gondak is an excellent inheritor of the position once held by Coach Groves. I first met him at one of our early Friday receptions where I brought the potato chips and Clark Haley was truly the Keeper of the Beer in the small meeting room at the Hampton Inn.
13. Ken Worthen is apparently the finest golfer in our tournament history. I heard many people telling me his play was outstanding from hole 1 to hole 18. I did not get to speak with him, but I want to thank him for dragging Don Ziter to his third tournament championship! Harry Smith also.
14. The monies we collect for the weekend may seem steep to some, but that is never the case. In low turnout years we break even with Officers often adding significant funds behind the scene. In high attendance years we do have a surplus, which is given in its entirety to the Penn State Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country teams. (Not the Coach Groves Scholarship Fund). In these surplus years, the funds are often given to an individual employed by a company that matches charitable contributions. This is not done to earn Nittany Lion points for someone to get better parking or tickets for football games etc. The only funds ever mismanaged by our group was the $4.24 lunch at Wendy's I was once allowed by a donation from Paul Mundy made to our blog. BTW the Mountain View Golf Club has changed the hole where Paul hit the tractor trailer on 322. I miss those days.
15. Got to speak with Brie Berkowitz for an hour on Friday. I have known Brie since she was a young lady. Her mom was our kids' school nurse and a running partner of my wife. Her dad was a XC coach in our county. They have already endeared themselves in the PSTAFXC community, and Brie is an outstanding PV coach for the Lions. Truly a small world!
16. More to come... 

Four Champions And A Boot

 

The turnout at this month's Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golf) Reunion was very good.  It included 1980 Olympian Greg Fredericks, PSU High Jump Record Holder Paul Souza and 1976 Olympic 400M Hurdle Silver Medalist Mike Shine.  The Rusty Boot came back from its long hiatus in Coach Groves' possession.  And, oh yeah, Mike's rad Harley-Davidson photobombed the whole set-up!

Random Thoughts And Results Of The 19th Annual Reunion And Golf Tourney

1.  We had a very good turn-out considering the world we currently find ourselves in. There were 40 or so attendees for both the Reception and Dinner.  There were 6 foursomes on the golf course.  And there were many attendees for Vivian Riddick's Zoom Presentation and the Coach Schwartz Celebration for the Women's Team.  Coach Groves finally got his 2009 wish of more women attendees for our celebration of Penn State T&F/XC.
2. The Mountain View Country Club hosted the tourney and were excellent in their support of our efforts.
3. I sorta/kinda won for the 3rd time in a row.  Because Steve Brown's sons golfed with him, we had a team of "ringers" without a hacker like me.  According to the rules set up by Clark Haley decades ago, this team is forbidden.  All teams must be rigidly, strictly chosen randomly on Friday night, except when sufficiently bribing of the Officers of the Group has been undertaken!  The Browns managed 5-under par, with my foursome scaring them with a 4-under par back 9 after an even front nine.  (Please realize I am being mostly funny with this, but I won't know for sure until I see the engraving on The Cup next year.)  I hit few shots with my wonky wrist, but I suppose 4 of my shots actually counted.  For all you non-golfers out there, you would do much better than this without ever having golfed before.  Come golf with us next year.  It was a pleasure golfing with Harry Smith, his son Ian Smith and Coach John Gondak this year.  
4. There was a paucity of potential in the running for the "numb-nuts" award, with the absence of Kevin Kelly O'Brien.  Just joking Kelly, you were missed.
5. The Triathlon at the track, which has replaced the Alumni Run, was won by Steve Balkey, with individual events won by one of the Fullers (I never know which one; it's definitely a problem of mine!) and Greg Fredericks, Master of the Hula Hoop.
6. Speaking of the Fullers...  They all golfed together this year.  It was honestly only by chance, I swear to God.  Bob Gabel became an honorary Fuller to fill up their foursome.
7. Paul Mundy won the Longest Drive contest, which he does nearly every year Beth Shisler does not golf .
8. The dinner menu was excellent (flank steak, grilled chicken with Parmesan sauce, and a chocolate cake that brought a smile to Paul Mundy).  The selection of four different flavors of chicken wings on Friday night was also quite splendid.  Free draft beer and a full cash bar got the crowd in just the right spirits to meet new friends and regale old friends with white lies about the days of yore.
9. There are stories of great times had by many (after my bed-time) at The Phyrst on Friday night and Pickles on Saturday night.  I managed to host Rock and Roll Legend Paul Souza to nearly 11:00PM on both nights before tag-teaming and handing off to Night-Life loving Clark Haley.  I think we have a convert to our efforts in Paul, with maybe even a Rock and Roll Reception in our future!
10. Ken Brinker became only the third recipient of The Rusty Boot, the highest honor that can be bestowed on any PSU Track Alum.
11. Two hardy members of the group drove their Harleys fairly long distances to join us.  Both Mike Shine and Paul Mundy looking good BTW!
12. Coach Gondak won the closest to the pin contest on a hole which is normally his nemesis at his home course. A six-foot putt led to one of our birdies to close in on the Leading Brown group.
13. Kay Warfel made multiple homemade gifts for raffle and Coach Gondak supplied numerous items to add to the mix from the team's supplies.
14. A tour of the new locker room was given by Ryan Foster.  It's good to have him back.
15. The Ghost Award went to Paul Souza who finally joined us and says he will be back every year from now on.  Speaking of future years, we have decided to alternate between May and August in the future, just to see if we can entice a few more reluctant attendees.  More on that to come. 
16. Quite a few attendees climbed Mt. Nittany again this year, in addition to touring the Sports Museum and Berkey Creamery.  Remember, the golf is optional but highly recommended!
17. State College has taken Covid hard by what I have seen.  The entire block containing The Saloon, Hi-Way Pizza, The Deli and the Lions Den has been closed and empty.  Baby's is closed and for sale.  I would love to have enough mullah to buy it and bring back Pedro's! Anyone wishing to join me in investing in this opportunity, let me know.
18. My Nittany Lion Hawaiian Shirt was a big hit.  The Lion's Pride came through for me again this year.  Several others went on Saturday to find the stock already depleted.  Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man happy, healthy and Hawaiian Shirted.
19. The Longest Putt on Hole 18 went to Ian Smith of my foursome with a 9' 1" effort.
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

I'm Ready For More Abuse: Rankings Of The All-Time Indoor Alumni Records

As the third job I have in this current busy climate, this blog has a very good reputation for inaccuracy, mistakes and overall "I have to look that up".  I take abuse on just about everything I post, but posts involving statistics bring it from every corner of the world. So as an introduction to these marks, please update me on any inaccuraccies, mistakes or "I have to look that up".

Here are the tops marks for Penn State Mens Track Alumni Records from all-time as per the IAAF Scoring Tables.  These were compiled by Matt Grove from Coach Groves' notes and amended by all of us over time.  Undoubtedly, there are mistakes.  But that gives us all an opportunityy to get together in a collegial fashion and have a little fun along the way.   Hee hee hee

1.  600M          1226        1:14.91                         Casimir Loxsom '13                  2017 (WB)
2.  Shot Put      1209        70' 5.5" (21.47M)         Joe Kovacs '12                          2014
3.  800M          1196        1:46.13                         Casimir Loxsom '13                  2017
4.  Mile            1181        3:56.06                         Brannon Kidder '16                   2018
5.  1500M        1168        3:39.17                         Brannon Kidder '16                   2018
6.  60M HH     1137        7.70                              Mike Shine '76                           1978
7.  5000M        1117        13:39.27                       James Carney '01                       2005
8.  2 Mile         1107        8:35.0                           George Malley '77                     1979
9. Heptathlon   1099       5827 pts.                       Ryan Olkowski '02                    2005
10. 200M           1096       21.25                             Ryan Olkowski '02                    2003
11. TJ                1082        53' 2.75" (16.22M)       Ricardo Hall                              1995
12. HJ                1081       7' 2.25" (2.19M)            Dave Kriz '96                            1999
13. 1000M         1079       2:22.66                          Randy Moore '85                       1986
14. LJ                1073        25' 3.25" (7.7M)           Rob Boulware '87                      1988
15. 60M            1059        6.77                               Mike Shine '76                           1978
16. PV               1056        17' 2" (5.23M)             Rick Kleban '85                          1988
17. 55M            1056        6.1*  (6.34)                  Barney Ewell '42                        1947 (WR)
18. 55M            1056        6.1*  (6.34)                  Mike Sands '75                           1980
19. 300M            995         34.5                             Mike Sands '75                           1976

* 0.24 secs added to hand times as per IAAF standards.

Ranking of All-Time Best Outdoor Performances of Penn State Track Alumni*

* Performances after PSU eligibility has expired.

The IAAF, or whatever they call themselves now, has a ranking system that can be used to gauge performances across Track and Field times and distances.  This system is very useful, but is only one way to interpret Athletic performances across all the disciplines.

While these tables can never be a definitive measurement of the level of performance
considering the differing opinions among sports statisticians concerning their basis and
method of construction, they do allow us to consistently measure and compare athletes and their performances across the rich variety of event disciplines.

So, I combined our previous compilation of the Event Record Holders in each discipline with the IAAF Scoring Tables.  The results are sometimes surprising.

1.  James Carney       2007                10000M       27:34.64                    1386
2.  Joe Kovacs           2017                Shot Put       74' 0.25"  (22.57M)   1275
3.  Knut Hjeltnes       1985                Discus          228' 5"  (69.62M)      1238
4.  Casimir Loxsom   2015                800M            1:44.92                     1176
5.  Brannon Kidder    2019                1500M          3:35.27                     1171
6.  Barney Ewell        1948                100M            10.1 (ht)                   1170
7.  Mike Shine           1976                400M IH      49.30                         1159
7.  George Malley     1978                 3000M SC   8:21.72                      1159
9.  Lennart Hedmark  1973                Decathlon     8,188 pts.                 1155
10.  Casimir Loxsom  2013                600M            1:14.84                    1154
11.  Mike Sands          1975                200M            20.5                         1143
12.  Mike Shuey         2019                 Javelin          271' 10"  (82.85M) 1141
13.  George Adu        1999                 Long Jump    25' 10.75" (7.89M) 1114
14.  Larry Mangan     1983                Mile               3:56.90                    1113
14.  Alan Scharsu       1985                3000M           7:50.40                    1113
16.  Mike Sands         1976                 400M             46.01                       1111
17.  Mike Shine          1979                110M HH       13.80                      1103
18.  James Carney      2008                5000M           13:31.61                  1097
19.  Casimir Loxsom  2014                1000M           2:19.16                   1092
20.  Ricardo Hall        1995                Triple Jump    53' 7.75" (16.22M) 1082
21.  Dave Kriz            1996                High Jump      7' 0.75" (2.15M)    1046
22.  Dave Masgay       1987                Pole Vault      16' 8.75"                 1021
23.  Alvin Jackson      1979                Hammer         211' 11" (64.60M)   957       

Comments appreciated!                       

A Lull In The Action Means Housecleaning Commences

With not much happening in the Track World, it is time to do a little Spring cleaning, even if it is a little late.  So let's all get to work and crowdsource an updated Penn State Track Alumni Record Book!  Sorry ladies, I don't even know how to begin compiling one for the women.  Maybe an ambitious member of our group will try!!!!    Hint, hint!

But at least we have a starting point for the Men's Records which includes Indoor, Outdoor and Road records.  Matt Groves has done much of the legwork from his dad's notes in the past.  We are certain that our listing needs updating, and that's where you come in.  If we all get together on this we can fully update the listings in no time.

Let's start with the Men's Outdoor List:  Any changes can be made via the Facebook Page or on the comments below.  Please help!

Our first update to the list doesn't change the record, but clarifies it.

(George)Malley's AR was NOT the 8:21.72 you have listed. Henry Marsh had the AR at the time (1978) and it was 8:21.55...Malley's AR was in 1977 at the AAU National Championships at Westwood, CA at 8:22.54.

A Penn State Track Royal Flush!

The recent Reunion and Golf Tourney attracted more alumni (golfers) than ever before.  Among them were some key players in what makes our group so great!

This is our group's Royal Flush, even though the poker tourney never really happened!  That's Greg Fredericks, Mike Sands, Mike Shine and Coach Bill Whittaker joining Coach Groves at the Friday night get-together.  That's 4 Olympians in one pic.  And remember Coach Whittaker once held the PSU decathlon record and donated his javelin boots to make The Rusty Boot! 

Can PSU Be 100U Too!

The quartet of Malik Moffett, Xavier Smith, Dan Chisena and Karson Kowalchuk ran a school record of 39.49 and eclipsed the 42 year old record of Jack Davis, Steve Hackman, Mike Shine and Mike Sands at the Virginia Challenge on Friday!

Xavier Smith backed that up with a 10.38 in the individual 100M with Malik Moffett finishing right behind in 10.42! Both are PRs and the #2 and #3 times in school history.

More Old Time Goodness From Mike Fanelli, Track's Museum Curator Extraordinaire

Mike Fanelli's garage is the repository of Track and Field's greatest museum.  And he daily puts out a blast from the past.  Lately Penn State has figured high up in the number of displays.  I'm stealing these pics from him, but link up with him on Facebook if you want in on the rest of the displays!

Greg! and Jimmy Allahand.

This was a dual meet on PSU's White course in 1970.  Penn State was beaten by the Villanova squad 20-35.    (Greg Fredericks  24:56, Jim Allahand  25:30)

Keith Francis nips Pat Rexroat.

 1975 Championship of America Sprint Medley Relay finish.  It took a 1:47.3 split by Keith to best the Nittany Lions anchored by Pat Rexroat.

Mike Shine and Edwin Moses 1976 Olympic Finals.

The Olympic Games Finally Begin

We all know that the Olympics are a bunch of fluff, and then Athletics!  The Track and Field finally started today, and I get to binge watch all that is on.

So far, I have seen some disappointing 800M running from the Americans, although 2 of them might make it through to the 3 Semi-Finals.  The 800M is a strong Olympic Event this year.

Here's a blast from the past as a way of introducing the real games!

Mike Shine in the 1976 Semi-Finals

Olympic Photo Exhibit and John Lucas Memorial Lecture

Our Mount Rushmore Has Five Faces

We got a great response to my initial query, "Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Penn State Track and Field?"  

I kept the criteria vague when asking the question on purpose.  I figured each of us would have a unique set of criteria, and I was right.  The real monument had a rather vague beginning also, until settling on historical figures representing the four periods of America's first 130 years.  The Founding (George Washington), Growth (Thomas Jefferson) Preservation (Abraham Lincoln), and Development (Teddy Roosevelt) were finally agreed upon.

Some wanted athletes only.  Some wanted to include only what was accomplished while in school.  By taking nominations from anyone, we left that gate wide open, so if others agreed with you, you had a fair chance of attaining your desired outcome.  If yours was a lone voice in the wilderness, like mine often is, you were out of luck.

We got quite a few nominations, with several garnering questions to me such as "who is that?" when even the internet didn't come through for them.

In the end, I'm OK with the results.  The five on the face of the Mount Rushmore of Penn State Track and Field are:

1. Horace Ashenfelter - Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record Holder*
2. Coach Harry R. Groves - 38 year  PSU Coach and Olympic Coach*
3. Greg Fredericks - American Record Holder and Olympian*
4. Barney Ewell - Olympic Gold Medalist*
5. Mike Shine - Olympic Silver Medalist*

Others garnering votes in descending order are:  Curt Stone, Dr. John Lucas, Kathy (Mills) Parker, Nate Cartmell, Larry Shields, Mike Sands, Charles "Chick" Werner,  Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan, Bridget Franek and Shana Cox.

I will be commissioning a sculpture at some point and hope to place it halfway up the Switchbacks in Bear Meadows.** 

* Arbitrary selection of accomplishments which are definitely not all-inclusive!

** Not really.  But I may commission a drawing of such a monument at some point from my cousin in addition to some new logos and gifs.

PSU Alumni Records: Sprint Edition

What's New is Old again.  I don't think any of these records have been broken, but that's why we're doing the posts on records to begin with.  If you know of any changes, let us know in the comments, via email dfbaskwill(AT)cs(DOT)com or by shouting loudly in a crowd while wearing an Alumni Singlet!

100 M:  Barney Ewell  10.1  1948 Olympic Trials.

200 M:  Mike Sands  20.5  1976.

400 M:  Mike Sands  46.01  1976 AAU.

110 M HH:  Mike Shine  13.80  1979.

400 M IH:  Mike Shine  49.30  1979.

Barney Ewell,  Gold and Silver Medalist.

Silver Medalist Mike Shine.

See the previous listing of Middle Distance Records Here.

Worthy of an Olympic Medal!

Here's some examples of Mike Shine's photo submissions to a Fair I came across on Facebook.  They are worth an Olympic Medal in my book.  Just check any I've placed on the blog in the past and you'll see what I mean..  Check the others Here. and Here.

Next up I'm going to try to get a photo of Tyler McCandless at the Sea Isle City 10-Mile Beach Run.  It's Barb's 19th in a row.  Here's Tyler winning the 2007 race back in the day when I actually ran it too!

Prizes and More Prizes! Gold and Silver, no bronze!

In addition to "Horace" the golden putter, we have now added two additional rotating prizes. "Mike" the silver divot tool and "Barney" the golden divot tool! Each will be engraved with the letters PSU, (couldn't think of anything else!) These, of course honor PSU Olympic medal winners, Horace Ashenfelter III, Mike Shine, and Barney Ewell.

Rotating Prizes means the winner will have to return the award at the next year's event, or pay for the return shipping and insurance, thus insuring at least 3 golfers each year! They will also have to supply periodic updates as to the whereabouts of each of them with photos and stories detailing their exploits. A lot like a travel gnome, but less sissy (not that there's anything wrong with that!)

The longest putt on the 18th green receives the golden putter for 1 year. ( Mini Golf would be a great way to keep "Horace" active.) The longest drive (ahem, Beth Shisler, this means you!) will get the silver divot tool and a silver tee to keep as a cherished heirloom. The closest to the pin on hole number 2 at the Elks Club (the short 80 yard hole not eligible for the hole-in-one prizes) will acquire the use of the golden divot tool for the year and a golden tee to keep as a memento. Even hackers like me occasionally luck into one of these. I once won a closest to the pin in our event and also at another tourney at my residency graduation. (Saw a hole-in-one at the same tourney!)

Addendum: Bill Sheskey '78 and his brother John Sheskey '66 signed up for the tourney bringing much needed golfing skills to our motley crew. John is an architect (to the admiration of George Costanza) and Bill is flying in from South Carolina! Good luck on getting your name on the Coach Groves Memorial Cup.*

* Coach Groves is very much alive, despite the name on The Cup, and still able to kick your ass. Now get to class on time and close the window!