Members of the 1970 Eastern Michigan University men's cross country team that won two national champions returned to Ypsilanti for a reunion Aug. 7. Current EMU Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg (far left) and EMU President Dr. Susan W. Martin (far right) helped honor the team. The 1970 squad members, starting second from the left: Rick Deyo, Floyd Wells, Jerry Myszkowski, Terry Furst, Gordon Minty, Wayne Seiler, Head Coach Bob Parks, Fred LaPlante, Al Ruffner and Jim Bilsborrow.
The team won two national titles, in the NAIA and the NCAA-College Division
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The 1970 Eastern Michigan University men's cross country team celebrated the 40th anniversary of its two national championships in a special reunion held Saturday, Aug. 7, at the home of team member Terry Furst located on the Huron River.
Many of the runners off that team were present at the reunion as was Head Coach Bob Parks and current EMU President Susan Martin and Athletic Director Derrick Gragg.
That 1970 squad held dual memberships, in both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the NCAA-College Division.
The then-Hurons won the NCAA-CD crown on Nov. 14, 1970, with freshman Gordon Minty leading the way with a third-place individual finish as Eastern captured the title with 100 points to 124 for runner-up Cal State-Fullerton. Furst was 13th in that race followed by teammates Bob Boudreau (16th), Dave Galloway (27th), Jim Bilsborrow (52nd), Jerry Myszskowski (75th) and Wayne Seiler (152nd).
Eastern came back in the NAIA national championship and won that title with 88 points to 141 for runner-up Fort Hays State.
Dave Ellis lead Eastern at that NAIA meet in third place followed by Furst in 14th, Boudreau in 16th, Bilsborrow in 30th, Dave Campbell in 35th, Galloway in 56th and Minty in 101st.
Furst earned All-American honors that season in both the NCAA-CD and NAIA while Boudreau was All-American in the NCAA-CD and a second-team selection in the NAIA. Minty was also a first-team NCAA-CD selection while Galloway was a second-team NCAA-CD pick. Ellis was a first-team NAIA choice and Campbell was a second-team NAIA selection.
