The head coach, George Dales, a WMU Professor Emeritus from the College of Education & Human Development, was key in building a winning team. Of Dales, Burston said “He was a major force in creating the ethos of distance running at Western at the time. His work in creating the work ethic and distance running tradition within WMU through the late 1950s and 1960s was the major reason for our win.”
In 2009, the 1964 and 1965 teams were inducted into the University Athletic Hall of Fame. In early October of 2014, members of the team gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first NCAA title. “The reunion itself was terrific. It was wonderful to see the team together again on campus and in relatively good health,” said Burston. “It was an occasion for memories to be revived about 'the day' and reliving the season which was one of hard training and never losing faith in our ability to reach our goal of winning the NCAA.”
From the 1965 Brown and Gold Yearbook, “For all appearances, George Dales’ 1964 cross-country team was not one to win the NCAA harrier title.” They hadn’t won any of their tournaments leading up to the event, and the team didn’t have any distinct stars. Burston said “The major feature of the team was that we were a 'team', we ran for each other and not for ourselves. It was the team that counted not what we did as individuals.”
In the 1964 tournament, Western scored 86. The runner up was Oregon, who scored 114. Burston finished in 11th, Don Clark (BA ’67) finished in 18th, Steve Smith (BS ’71) in 28th, and Jim Carter (BS ’65) in 43rd.
Of their victory, Burston said, “We just happened to be at the top of the mountain at the right time. We also worked bloody hard to achieve it.”
Photo Caption: November 23, 1964 -- Western's Cross-Country Teams Show Heels to Entire NCAA -- (Brown & Gold Yearbook)
What happiness! These seven runners and coach George Dales are in their official all-smiles NCAA Championship pose. Bruce Burston holds the traveling trophy while, to his right, Mike Gallagher rests WM's permanent trophy. Jim Carter kneels at Gallagher's right while Ted Nelson, Don Clark, Larry Peck, and Steve Smith stand behind..
For a 11 appearances, George Dales' 1964 crosscountry team was not one to win the NCAA harrier title. The script before that great day in East Lansing read something like: three easy dual victories, second places in the Notre Dame Invitational, Mid-Am meet (to Ohio) and the Central Collegiate. After all, the Broncos are accustomed to firsts in all three.
And it was with funny looks that observers regarded the prognostication by the squad and a few close to it that WMU would get less points than 50 other teams. And of course, in crosscountry, the fewer points you get, the better off you are. But on a biting, snowy day at Forest Akers golf course, WMU did just that. Congratulations, again!
Posted by Samantha Macy