Marty Liquori’s name is etched in the annals of collegiate track history, not just for his accomplishments but for the dramatic narratives that accompanied them. As a sophomore at Villanova, Liquori catapulted to prominence by defeating the mile world record holder at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the first of his three consecutive…
Sonia O’Sullivan, an exceptional distance runner, made a lasting impact on NCAA Division I cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field, winning a total of five national championship titles across the sports. During the 1990-91 academic year at Villanova University, O’Sullivan achieved a unique feat by winning titles in all three…
Vicki Huber’s first and last track race at the NCAA Championships had the same result – victory. She collected eight NCAA titles in all, tied for second most when women combining Division I cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field. While Huber set five collegiate records that included one each in the indoor…
The history of the mile struck gold with Ron Delany, who became the first of a long line of Irish talents in the event to star collegiately at Villanova. He owned a miler’s best weapon – a punishing kick. Delany’s rise to stardom is a wonderful story. He shaved nearly six seconds off his mile…
Villanova has a long and proud tradition of excellence in the mid-distance and distance events, and few coaches in the school’s storied history have left as significant an impact as did Marty Stern. Leading the Wildcats’ women’s program from 1984 through 1994, Stern oversaw an era of Nova distance running in the late ‘80s and…
Jack Pyrah’s name is synonymous with Villanova University’s track & field and cross country programs. With Pyrah assisting Jumbo Elliott, a member of the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame, Villanova’s men captured eight NCAA championships in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. Pyrah grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia…
Jim “Tup” Tuppeny had a tremendous impact on the sport of track & field as the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania from 1966-79 and as director of the Penn Relays from 1970-87. Tuppeny began his coaching career as an assistant to USTFCCCA Hall of Famer “Jumbo” Elliott at Villanova in 1953. In 1966,…
One of the most successful track coaches in the world while at Villanova University, James “Jumbo” Elliott excelled at getting his athletes ready for the big meets, whether they were the Penn Relays or IC4A Championships, which his teams dominated for years, or the Olympic Games, for which he produced 28 competitors. As a student…