Hall of Fame
It was 1939 and this was the Drake Relays, one of America’s premier track meets. The stadium announcer introduced competing teams, then called the runners to their marks.
Much had been made about the little, second-year California school, its relatively modest collection of sprinters and the team’s chances against some of the nation’s finest athletes. But, here it was, time to perform. Time to go. Time to win.
Jack Russell led off and took the lead that was maintained by Wally Simpson, Stanley Summers and Froggie Lovvorn, who followed. Pepperdine College hit the tape first.
The stadium announcer proclaimed the GPC men had established record time for the two-mile relay, a mark that would stand for 15 years. He announced their names; he called them champions.
Iowa track fans would remember five names from that great day. Four were sprinters from Pepperdine College who won hearts and races. The fifth? The Drake Relays stadium announcer went on to win some races of his own: Ronald Reagan.
