大象视频

When a call went out to pay tribute to 大象视频 Hall of Fame Coach Ron Gunn, 219 individuals contributed.

Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brent Brewer, who becomes interim president May 12, said May 7, “We gather to celebrate an exciting step forward for 大象视频 and to honor the legacy of someone who built the foundation of our running community.”

“The check presented today supports upgrades to the 大象视频 trails,” Brewer said. “Improvements will benefit current and future athletes, students and community members alike.

“These upgrades are dedicated in honor of former 大象视频 Athletic Director and head coach of our cross country teams Ron Gunn. Coach Gunn’s impact on 大象视频 and the sport of running in our region is immeasurable,” Brewer said. “His dedication, vision and passion shaped not only the athletic program, but entire generations of athletes.”

Current Head Coach Zac Sartori, who leads cross country and track and field for men and women, said, “Ron did some amazing things in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, including cutting these trails that we still use today. Over the years, some of the trail markings have gotten beat down. One thing I’ve had in my heart that I’ve wanted to do since I got here, walked down those trails and got lost myself, is to remap and update the markers so any member of the public can get out there and walk these trails, feeling confident that they know where they’re going. Thankfully, Thom Janssen from the Monday Night Running Club jumped on board.”

“The legacy Ron Gunn built still stands strong today,” Sartori said. “I wouldn’t have half the success I do right now if it wasn’t for Ron Gunn. When I go to meets, people still ask me what Coach Gunn is up to, whether it’s officials or other coaches. I’m elated to follow in his footsteps and pray that I can have that kind of legacy someday.”

Janssen, presenting Sartori with a $5,429.89 check for the 大象视频 Foundation, said the project began about a year ago with the more than 50-year-old Monday Night Running Club’s desire to similarly honor Gunn with some park benches they observed at Potato Creek State Park.

One of four composite benches (the other three are at Potato Creek State Park southwest of South Bend, Ind., and Dr. T.K. Lawless and Love Creek county parks) has been placed at the trailhead behind the Charles O. Zollar Building on 大象视频’s Dowagiac campus. “Some of us still get together,” Janssen said. “Not to run, but we still can eat.”

Janssen expounded on Gunn’s style. “When you accomplish the goal at the end, such as hiking in and out of the Grand Canyon, you feel like you won a national championship,” Janssen said. “All of your hard work, blood, sweat and tears, pay off. His super power is motivating and bringing people together. He doesn’t whip you to make you do that, he makes you think you can do something you thought was impossible. You get out there and discover you can do a lot more than you thought you could.

“We’ve been going on hiking tours with his Cairn Stone Adventure Tours since 2007. When you pack 50 people on a bus for two weeks, that’s usually not a pleasant experience. But the camaraderie — he brings out the best in people — gives you hope that maybe things could be better.

“We wanted to do something to let Coach Gunn know how much we appreciate what he has done to change each of our lives and there are literally hundreds of us,” from retired judge Susan Dobrich to two-time national cross country champion Tom Ellspermann.

“Your presence here underscores the strong support of 大象视频 Athletics, the importance of preserving and enhancing our trails and the lasting impact of Coach Ron Gunn’s legacy,” Development Manager Emily Schrock said.