MSU athletes kept pace alongside Mid-Michigan runners Tuesday night at what the program touted as “not your traditional track meet.”
And the second annual Spartan Classic Track Meet was anything but traditional, as MSU varsity and club athletes and community members joined to celebrate running, physical fitness and the life of a fallen Spartan.
The event, the first track meet at the new Ralph Young Field, featured distance running, long jump and the inaugural Munley Relays, named after John Munley, an MSU swimmer who died while jogging in April 2001.
Johnny Allen, assistant director of IM Sports and the event coordinator, said he hoped the event would unite the community and MSU with running and would honor Munley.
Munley was a four-time letter-winner swimmer for MSU when he died at 22. His parents, Patrick and Mary Anne Munley, presented awards to the meet winners.
“We really appreciate the intramural department and athletics department for remembering John,” Patrick Munley said. “It’s been over a year since he died, it’s nice people remember him. It means a lot to the family.”
The event also promoted physical fitness. Olin Health Center provided free strength testing, lung capacity evaluations and blood-pressure readings.
“We’re here to promote health and fitness, and having fun with activity,” said Ronda Bokram, a registered dietitian at Olin Health Center.
The attendance for the event was greater than last year’s Spartan Classic, Allen said, but there was room for improvement.
“It’s a little better than last year,” he said. “We’re trying to build on student participants,”
Athletes from MSU’s women’s basketball team, men’s and women’s swimming, MSU Triathlon Club and women’s club soccer competed in the event.
Former athletics director Clarence Underwood also was honored at the event. Underwood received one of the first annual Spartan Spirit awards, which honors dedication and service to MSU athletics. Retired diving coach John Narcy also was honored.
“The reason I’m wearing black is symbolic,” Underwood said, referring to John Munley. “John was a great Spartan with a great spirit.”
