Runners from the 1950s

[Guest]

Does anyone out there know what became of these great runners from the 1950s:

Arnie Sowell
Ira Murchison
Wes Santee

[Guest]

Garry Hill, here's more evidence of interest in the current status of yesterday's stars. Here's a few more I'd like to get an update on: Thane Baker, Tom Courtney, Lang Stanley, Lon Spurrier, Jerome Walters,Phil Coleman, Deacon Jones, Jack Davis, Greg Bell, Ira Sharpe, Rink Babka, Fortune Gordien, Josh Culbreath, Eddie Southern,Bob Seamon, Ernie Shelton, Charley Dumas,Ron Morris,Harold Connolly, Bud Held,Jim Grelle et al.

[Guest]

Before someone points it out--I realize Jim Grelle is from the 60's and not the 50's. But I am interested in what he is doing today...

[197hjsteve]

about 10 years ago I think I heard that Greg Bell was a Dentist at an Indiana prison.

If so, this does NOT qualify him for the " ALL Prison Team."

[CoachKoby]

Speaking of great runners from the 50's, what happened to Jim Peters from England? And for that matter Buddy Edelen?

[Guest]

Jim Peters died a 3-4 years ago aged about 80-odd.

[Arnie]

I know that Ira Murchison died i think of bone cancer in 2001.

[bkotch]

Buddy Edelen has also passed away, back in 1997.

[Arnie]

ARNIE SOWELL:
A WINNER FOR LIFE
"He was Pitt's good-will Ambassador." "He was one of the greatest runners who ever lived." "Nobody did it all as well." These were some of the accolades given to Arnie Sowell (Business '57) when he returned to campus last fall.

Sowell was honored by the African American Alumni Council (AAAC) and given the 1996 Award of Distinction by the Varsity Letter Club. The occasion was especially significant for Sowell because it reunited him with friends from the past: his fellow track teammates Perry Jones and Zinnerford Smith, as well as Olympic medalists Johnny Woodruff and Herb Douglas. Sowell grew up in Pittsburgh's Bedford Dwellings. His lifelong friend, Joy Sato, remembers, "As kids, we'd watch as he'd run down the hill from the top of Bedford Village; he seemed to float out of the clouds. He'd always wave at us. He knew we were so proud of him." Sowell came to Pitt on an athletic scholarship and tied the world record for 1,000 yards, as well as captured the NCAA 880-yard championship, the Pan-American games 800-meter championship, and a spot on the 1956 US Olympic Team.

After graduation, Sowell married his college sweetheart, Barbara Peace (Arts and Sciences '57), and began a military career that took him all over the world. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1980.

Currently, he is procurement director for the Charlotte (North Carolina) Housing Authority. "My kids find it interesting that I started out my life in the Hill," he says. "And now, late in my career, I'm working in low-income housing. They say I've come full circle."--Sally Neiser

[Guest]

Ira Sharpe had a bipolar career. As Ira Davis he made OG teams in '56, '60 and '64, and set several ARs. Graduated from La Salle College '58 and Overbrook [Phila.] HS '54. As Bill Sharpe he made OG teams in '56 and '60, and set several ARs. Attended West Chester State Teachers College '57 and West Philly HS '49. Davis runs his own moving business in Philly, Sharpe is deceased.

[tandfman]

>Ira Sharpe had a bipolar career. As Ira Davis he
made OG teams in '56, '60 and '64, and set
several ARs. Graduated from La Salle College '58
and Overbrook [Phila.] HS '54. As Bill Sharpe he
made OG teams in '56 and '60, and set several
ARs. Attended West Chester State Teachers
College '57 and West Philly HS '49. Davis runs
his own moving business in Philly, Sharpe is deceased.<

George Shaw (Columbia '53), who was the third US triple jumper in the 1956 Olympics, is also deceased.