Craig "Surgin" Virgin Has a Soft Spot In His Heart For Coach Groves

Steve Bratt sent along his saved listing of the finish of the 1975 NCAA Cross Country Championships.  That's the one hosted by PSU on the Blue Course.  Sort of a big day for Coach Groves, highlighting Penn State's resurgence as a running powerhouse.

This was the same event which featured a great duel between Craig Virgin and Nick Rose, with Craig taking the title with a big finish.

You'll notice that there was a top 5 finish for PSU with a great run by Paul Stemmer in 28:58!  In fact, Penn State finished 4th overall in the team standings.  Glancing through the results reveals some great names from the past littered throughout:

• Paul Cummings of Brigham Young in 7th  29:02
• David Merrick of Penn in 9th  29:05
• Herb Lindsay of Michigan State, 12th  29:10
• Tony Staynings of Western Kentucky, 13th  29:12
• John Treacy of Providence, 21st  29:19
• Bill Donakowski of Michigan, 23rd, 29:19
• Greg Meyer of Michigan, 29th  29:30
• Niall O'Shaughnessy of Arkansas, 38th  29:39
• Henry Marsh, Brigham Young, 77th  30:05
• Kenneth Wilson, Penn State, 80th  30:08
• George Christopher, Penn State, 125th 30:30 (PSU Marathon Record Holder)
• Craig Masback, Princeton,  143rd  30:40
• Walt Majak, Penn State, 144th  30:41 (fellow podiatrist and PCPM grad.)
• Ronald Secord, Penn State, 222nd, 31:28

Craig Virgin, Illinois and Nick Rose, Western Kentucky.

 I had the pleasure of speaking at length with Craig several years ago and he could not have been any nicer.  He was in the midst of his extensive rehab following his devastating head-on collision that ended his competitive running career.  He took to the rehab as hard as any workout he ever did.

When I related my PSU (shallow!) roots, he became quite animated and related that the 1975 NCAA XC race was one of his fondest running memories.  He really enjoyed his stay at the Nittany Lion Inn and marveled that he was able to wake up early for a shake out run after just crossing Atherton Street to the golf course.  Thank goodness he didn't sprain his ankle on the exposed roots!

But what he was most happy about was the reception that Coach Groves gave him during and after the race.  Craig related that in all the races he ran all over the world, the only one where he received a gift and hand-written letter afterward was from Coach Groves.  Craig framed the letter and has kept the Lion statuette that Coach sent him all these years. (I have lost mine BTW)  I'll keep trying to get Craig to attend a Coach Groves Golf Tourney as a surprise for Coach.

Should We Have A Beer Mile at a Future Reunion?

Our previous post about the old Phi Psi 500 must have lit a spark with Steve Bratt, as he dug up some old records of the event.  One in which he won the Independent Division with a fine 5:48 effort.

Of course, the Beer Mile has gone on to become a 21st Century phenomenon with rigid rules and arguments and generally unnecessary encumbrances.

It has crossed my mind that our group would be a wonderful organization to sponsor a real Beer Mile some time.  Of course, this would have no ties to PSU or The Team, but I feel it could be done in a way to bring honor and mirth to just about everyone.

First off, we could obtain permissions, insurance and even card everyone involved.  We would have a non-alcoholic alternative (I submit that Mountain Dew would be a suitable replacement with similar carbonation to normal beers).  We would have designated drivers available for everyone imbibing, and clean up fully afterward.  We would charge nominal fees going to our favorite destination, the Coach Groves Scholarship Fund.  (Have I covered all the bases necessary?)

Should our group sponsor a Beer Mile at a future Reunion?

More Old-Timey Goodness From All Over

We've had an influx of new members to our group, and some increased activities from "old" members too.  We've also had some nice notes of encouragement from other Alumni Groups wondering just what the heck are we up to.

I tell everyone who asks that question the same thing.  Without any hesitation or hint of doubt, I tell them we are working to become the largest and most active Track and Field Alumni Group in the whole world.  And I have no doubt.  We all belong to the largest College Alumni Group* in the world already, so its only a matter of time.

New member Steve Bratt brings us this great photo of the 1975 Cross country team:

Some great things I see on there are:

1. John Zeigler's glasses!
2. Mark Parker's glasses! (what's up with that!)
3. Bill Sheskey's hair!
4. Tim Backenstose's hair! (and he's as skinny as Ziggy!)
5. That's Steve Bratt next to Bill Sheskey with the same smile as Coach Groves!

Steve also submitted a results page for the 1978 Nittany Valley Marathon, which backs up my previous story of helping three of our better milers to their first run over 15 miles in their lives (actually 17 in the PSU tradition!).  I "taught" Larry Mangan, Mike Wyatt and Tom Rapp to hold back at the start of the race and only increase pace every five miles.  We made it all the way to third place at 20 miles before I faded. (In my defense I had pneumonia only 3 weeks earlier!)  All 3 went on to beat me in quite remarkable times considering the cold and snow-covered roads and the fact that they never ran more than "15" before.  Also note how I had to scramble to beat Liz Berry and Coach Groves! It also may be the only time I ever beat Gary Black! Also note the 53 year-old Hersh Leibowitz running a 3:25 marathon!  He gets more amazing to me every year looking back at things. (RIP Hersch).

 

Here's a pic dedicated Golfer  Bill Malchano dug out of his "Way Back" drawer, showing that like Paul Souza, he once had hair! (Hey Bill, I remembered the "A" this time!)

Bill Malchano in the Ice Palace!

*Ah, heck, maybe Michigan or Ohio State has a larger group.  I'm not even going to look it up. I feel like John Belushi asking "Did we quit when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor...?" (RIP Harold Ramis)