Memorable day at Penn

Most of you will remember Dave Patrick--Villanova miler from the 60s.
Last Friday I attended a cocktail reception hosted by Dave for Villanova Alums. He put together a slide presentation featuring former V greats including Larry James, Erv Hall, Don Bragg and many more Olympic, National, and NCAA champions. It was an amazing presentation with action photos of these great athletes over many years. It concluded with a video of the 1968 Penn relays Championship 4 X 4---with Larry James, "The Mighty Burner" anchoring in 43.9---fastest time ever recorded by a collegian. He made a 45 second runner from Rice look like he was running in mud.
But the real highlight of the evening was a wrong that was corrected. In 1968 there were 2 Olympic trials--one in LA in June and the Final trials in September at Lake Tahoe.
They told us that the winner in LA was guaranteed a spot on the team--provided he maintain his fitness at the final trials in September. Patrick won in LA but finished 4 at Tahoe. 3 make the team. It was decided to leave Patrick off the team even thought he did demonstrate fitness and it was a devastating blow to one of our best 1500 meter runners of alltime. Good things do happen, better late than never and a USATand F high up and Payton Jordan, Head Coach of the 68 Team came to the reception to make an announcement elevating Dave from an alternate and non member of the team to the status of a true OLYMPIAN with all rights and privileges of a member of the 1968 Olympic team. Other 68 members including John Carlos, Norm Tate, Erv, Larry and myself were ther to dry Dave's tears.
This weekend is the the Big East championships at Villanova--if you can come and cheer.
May 31 is the Grand Prix at Randells Island lets us know if you want tickets--great price, great competion.